Students, police clash in Chile

2012-08-16 29

Violent clashes on the streets of Santiago, Chile.

The fighting began after a group of students occupied a local high school building to demand educational reform.

Police respond with tear gas and water cannon -- the students in turn hurl rocks and other projectiles.

More than two dozen schools have been taken over by students -- all part of their call for a government overhaul of an education system they describe as low quality and profit-driven.

Student organisations have called for a nationwide strike, as well as various marches.

Last year, hundreds of high schools and universities were occupied for months, but sit-ins have become less frequent this year.

The government says the protests forced nearly 38 percent of students to repeat the school year.