Following the Education Committee's approval last week, Chile's Chamber of Deputies passed the 'Protected Schools' bill on Tuesday with 103 votes in favor, 43 against, and three abstentions. Promoted by the government, it bolsters school security via backpack checks and bars free higher education for those convicted of school violence. The bill now heads to the Senate amid opponents' constitutional concerns.
Building on the Education Committee's approval on April 16, Chile's Chamber of Deputies approved the 'Protected Schools' bill and sent it to the Senate on April 21 after a multi-day debate. The vote was 103 in favor, 43 against, and three abstentions.
The bill, from the Ministry of Education, permits backpack inspections and revokes free higher education eligibility for students convicted of school violence.
Minister María Paz Arzola expressed cautious optimism: “We are not happy, we are calm... what we need is to respond to this demand from citizens." She noted openness to tweaks, like restricting ineligibility to school-related offenses.
Opponents, including Deputies Daniela Serrano (PC) and Emilia Schneider (FA), raised constitutional reservations over children's rights and equality. PDG's Paula Olmos objected to teachers handling bag checks: “The teacher is there to educate, not to check bags." The PDG largely opposed, with internal divisions, while others like Germán Verdugo (PNL) decried school coexistence decline and Héctor Ulloa (PPD) joined reservations.
