Education in Chile
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Contents |
Overview
Chile is a democratic and presidential republic located in South America. Its official name is the Republic of Chile. The capital is Santiago.
Education system
Since year 1837 there has been an institution in charge of education in Chile. It was declared an independent institution in 1927 and recognized as the "Ministerio de Educación. The current Minister of Education is Ms. Mónica Jiménez de la Jara.
The functions of the Ministry are:
- Propose and evaluate educational and cultural development policies
- Allocate public resources for cultural and educational activities
- Study and propose general rules for the sector
- Deliver official recognition to educational institutions
- Supervise the functioning of these institutions
Important educational laws and reforms
1860: Primary instruction law (provides conditions for primary studies in the country)
1920: Law of mandatory primary instruction (four years of mandatory schooling for Chilean population)
1929: Six years of mandatory primary instruction
1965: Eight years of mandatory primary instruction
2003: Twelve years of mandatory primary and secondary instruction
Education system structure
Chile has a decentralized public education system that provides compulsory primary education for grades one through eight with four years of secondary education available.
Public education: Municipal schools, administered by municipalities through their department of education
Private subsidized education: Financed by private sources and through public funding (vouchers and subsidies)
Private education: Financed only by private sources.
Corporations: Vocational schools administered by firms or enterprises with fixed allocation of budget for the State.
Education statistics
Pre-school education: for children under the age of four years old. 14% of enrollment by 2008. Main organizations in charge of providing pre-school education: Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles, JUNJI, and Integra
Elementary education: Eight years of mandatory education for children between 6 and 13 years old. Enrollment: 94.3%
Secondary education: Four years of mandatory secondary education for students for students between 14 and 17 years old. Enrollment 80.8% Two types of education: Humanistic-Cientific and vocational studies
Higher education: Education for students between 16 and 24 years old. Three types of institutions: Universities (Public and private); Professional Institutes; and Center of Technical Training. Enrollment: 30%
Other initiatives implemented and supported by the Chilean Ministry of Education:
Mecesup program (for higher education)
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