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Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago
(about 3 hours later)
Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital Santiago during the latest protest over education reform.Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital Santiago during the latest protest over education reform.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon, while masked students hurled homemade firebombs and set alight barricades near the university, witnesses said.Police fired tear gas and water cannon, while masked students hurled homemade firebombs and set alight barricades near the university, witnesses said.
The protest movement - now in its fifth month - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990.The protest movement - now in its fifth month - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990.
The government has promised some reforms, but the students say they do not go far enough.The government has promised some reforms, but the students say they do not go far enough.
The students - and trade unions - called a two-day strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month.The students - and trade unions - called a two-day strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month.
On Tuesday, the first day of the strike, roads around the University of Chile and the University of Santiago became gridlocked as the protests turned to violence. On Tuesday, the first day of the strike, the incidents of violence started early outside universities and schools in the capital - bringing the morning traffic to a halt.
Masked protesters were seen throwing Molotov cocktails while police used water cannon to disperse the crowds. Flaming barricades went up at more than 10 locations across the city, the AFP news agency quoted police as saying.
A public bus was set alight, along with barricades set up by the protesters, and kindergarten had to be evacuated because of the tear gas being fired by the police. Youths threw stones and petrol bombs while police used water cannon to disperse the crowds.
Masked assailants set fire to a city bus, injuring the driver although all the passengers escaped. A kindergarten had to be evacuated because of the tear gas.
There was a heavy police presence around the presidential palace, which has been the target of recent demonstrations.There was a heavy police presence around the presidential palace, which has been the target of recent demonstrations.
Further demonstrations are planned for Wednesday.Further demonstrations are planned for Wednesday.
There have been violent clashes between students and police at previous protests.There have been violent clashes between students and police at previous protests.
Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.
Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.
The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.
Government promisesGovernment promises
Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.
The system is sharply divided between private and public schools, an approach critics have labelled as "educational apartheid".The system is sharply divided between private and public schools, an approach critics have labelled as "educational apartheid".
The protesters want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.The protesters want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.
President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.
But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.
Following a breakdown in talks between the two sides earlier this month, student leader Camila Vallejo said the government "did not have the political will to meet the demands of the great majority in our country".Following a breakdown in talks between the two sides earlier this month, student leader Camila Vallejo said the government "did not have the political will to meet the demands of the great majority in our country".
Government spokesman Andres Chadwick responded by saying: "The student movement has been taken over by the most radical, the most intransigent, the most ideologically driven groups."Government spokesman Andres Chadwick responded by saying: "The student movement has been taken over by the most radical, the most intransigent, the most ideologically driven groups."