So, if anyone loves enough out there, I would like "The Book of Mormon" Soundtrack. I love it when people do not take religion so seriously. Religion is great, but also Religion should be respected and not forced down other people's throats. It's a little crass (what I just said) but it is true. There is no one right way to God. I respect other people's right to practice or not practice any one particular faith, but also respect what I believe. Onto other news. Currently, if you have not been keeping up with the news here in Chile, let me you an update. There is a volcano in the South that has erupted and has been affecting flights going to Argentina, Uruguay, and Australia. The winds have carried ash to two of the three countries and may be affecting Copa America which is to be held in Mendoza, Argentina in about a month. That is not the only thing that is going on in the country. Let me share with you all some good news before I get to the nitty-gritty.
My school will be participating in an OAS simulation. OAS is the Organization of American States and my school will be presenting the great nation of Jamaica. The simulation is very similar to a model UN and this is the first time something like this is being done outside of the United States. This is the first simulation in all of Latin America. If it works here, chances are it will repeat itself again, but not only here in Chile, but in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, etc. I am excited for my kids. They are pioneers and I only expect the best from them. They are excellent students and so incredibly intelligent. I hope I don't fail them as a monitor. I have been dong what I can to help them. I have e-mailed people who work for the OAS, e-mailed people who work for the Jamaican government, e-mailed the Jamaican Consulate here in Santiago. I have also translated information from both the State Department and CIA's factbook websites. I want them to be prepared as they possibly can be because they are going up against some competitive schools. They are going up against Instituto Nacional, which is a school that has produced 18 of Chile's presidents and the British School from Punta Arenas, a private school that has been funded by the British government.
The simulation is being facilitated by the Universidad de Chile. An American equivalent would probably be any Ivy League school. The kids are excited, but also nervous. Nervous because they are going up against some of the best school in country and because their school is not well-known. My kids are amazing and they have nothing to worry about. They are going to do great. Now... onto the nitty-gritty.
Currently, there are over 180 schools across the country that are in "Toma." "Toma" literally means "Take over." The schools have been taken over by the students in protest. What are they protesting exactly? That is a good question. The universities are protesting against the following: Privatization of the schools, the construction of the Hydroaysen plant in Patagonia, and the Paso Escolar for public transportation. I agree that something needs to be done about the Education system here in Chile. It makes the US public education look incredible. Classrooms are overcrowded, sanitary conditions are questionable (in some school), bullying and student violence is a major problem, and there is the issue of education resources that are available to the working and lower class. There isn't enough. Money has not been pumped into the schools since the 1960s and many schools that were damaged by last year's earthquake have not been repaired.
My school currently is in "paro." A "paro" means halt. A school goes into a paro before it goes in toma. A paro means classes are suspended and gives time for the faculty and administration to review the students' demands. The administration has until the end of the day to agree to the students' demands. If the administration agrees, then the school is not taken over. If the administration does not agree, then the school is in toma. The administration, faculty, and staff are not allowed in the school and the gates and entrances are barricaded with desks and chairs from classrooms. As an American with a different background and perspective, this is all new to me. This is something that would never happen in the States. It might happen at one or two schools, but it would be an isolated occurrence and there will be intervention by law enforcement and there would be consequences. Things are not so bad within the education system in the States that it would cause the students to revolt... or are they? I understand teachers striking for education reform, but when they strike, it is usually for higher wages. This is an interesting time to be a teacher here in Chile.
In addition to this paro/toma, the number of days the school is in toma, those days the students missed from classes, they will have to make them up during their winter vacation. I was told that five years ago, when the schools were in toma then, the kids missed so much school that they had to attend during their summer break. This is something that would not happen EVER in the US. This is all foreign to me. My only question, a question no one seems to know how to answer, is what happens after the toma? Are the students in trouble? Does life go back to normal. It is an interesting time indeed. I will keep you all posted on how things turn out here. My school has until 5pm today to agree or disagree.
Be it good or bad, a revolution is brewing and I hope this government will hear the cry and pleas of its people.
