Education in Chile

The levels of education in Chile are:

Pre-school: For children up to 5 years old.
Primary school, or Enseñanza Básica, for children from 5-6 to 12-13 years old, divided in 8 grades.
High School, for teenagers from 13-14 to 17-18 years old, divided in 4 grades.
High School is also divided in:
1) Scientific-humanities approach: From 2nd grade in highschool, students can choose a major in either science (math, physics, chemistry, biology), or humanities (literature, history, sociology), which means they will get more lessons in the area of their choice.
2) Technical-Professional education: Students receive 'extra' education in the so-called 'technical' areas, such as electricity, mechanics, metal assembly, etc. This second type of education is more typical of public schools (Liceos), to give students from poorer areas a chance to work right away after completion of Highschool, as a way to fund a possible higher education career later.
University, a system divided in public or 'state' universities and a private system2 .

Mandatory right to education


Until recently, only primary school education was mandatory for Chileans. In may 7, 2003, former president Ricardo Lagos, issued a law making high-school education also mandatory, giving the state responsibility for its completion for all Chileans under 18 years old.
Also, there is a law to guarantee full coverage of care and education to children from age 2 to 5 by the end of the current government of Michelle Bachelet.
The twelve years of mandatory, free education, make Chile a special case within Latin America.
The coverage of basic and highschool education runs high: 99.7% of children aged between 5-13 go to primary school, and 87.7% of teenagers between 13-17 study in high school.
Admission to University
Students can choose between 25 state universities or private ones, which are increasingly growing in number. For admission to state universities, students must do a University Selection Test, called PSU, which consists of three mandatory 'basic subjects' test (math, literature and history of Chile), plus other specific exams (chemistry, physics, biology, universal history), depending on what the student wishes to study.
According to media and official statistics, in 2006 a total 241,390 students did the PSU.
The admission fee to do the PSU can be quite costly for students belonging to the poorer areas of society (up to $28,000 Chilean Pesos or around US$50), due to which a current demand from students is that the state can subsidise the admission fee for poorer students.



What is the role of a Teacher?

Schools are one of the first places where kid’s behavior and future educational success is shape. Teachers are carriers of either positive or negative behavior toward students. The reason why the first years of school are so critical is because kids learn the base of their educational life. I believe that teachers must love their career in order for them to pass enthusiasm, to assists, and to provide a warm environment to the students. In my opinion teachers are the second mothers for the students because students spend a lot of time with their teachers. At the same time.
I believe a real teacher becomes through many years of training and experiences in the field. Also I think that a teacher is someone who becomes through many years of training and experiences in the field. On the other hand I believe that is urgent for everyone who is a teacher or is planning to become one to get prepare in the field the best they can. All teachers who get prepare will know how to set up rules in the classroom. Those kind of teachers will probably have less problems in their classroom because they will be able to control the classroom. Therefore, I believe the way students act depends on the teacher’s attitude, so It is very important that teachers encourage students because students will benefit from it. A teacher carries a big responsibility in her classroom. One reason is that all students depend on her/him. Everything the teacher will have an impact on the students. If the teacher feels joy of feels anger, it will be spread among children because the attitudes of the teacher gets contagious.
The teacher must create a warm and protective environment but at the same time professional. If students feel secure in the classroom the result will be shown in the academic progress. A good star could be a mutual trust with each student. Teaches have the responsibility to know his/her students in the classroom. Each day, the teachers show one of their attitudes that the students are unaware. Also, the students do the same in order for the teacher to get to know them, too. This is a good exercise to do because it benefits the whole class to break the ice. The first days most of the students are afraid of the teacher because they do not know how is the teacher’s personality. It will change until the point that the teacher and students discover to have common hobbies with each other.
I think that school is a place where one goes to learn but I also believe that there should be times where fun is a necessity. That is why I think that a teacher should also have fun with the students. Kids learn faster when they feel attracted to an exciting lesson. Teachers must not forget that kids get born fast that is why creative lessons must be plane ahead.
I believe a teacher should also be someone who guides student rather than someone who is a totalitarian in the classroom. The teacher needs to show respect toward the students so the students also respect the teacher. Teacher must not forget the s/he teaches to different students who brings different students who brings different traditions and customs because the students come from different backgrounds.