Defending the Chilean State System of Higher Education

ABSTRACT [RESUMEN]

The Chilean State System of Higher Education (consisting of sixteen universities with over 110,000 students) is in deep crisis. This is the result of: a) the policies of the military dictatorship (1973-1990) one aim of which was to weaken the State universities while promoting the development of a private system; b) the complacency of the democratically elected governments (1990 onwards), which have failed to acknowledge the crisis; c) the inability of academics and students of the State universities to think collectively and to fight for their future. This paper discusses the current situation and its causes, defines the main problems facing Chilean universities and proposes ways of overcoming the crisis. It puts forward the view that the current situation, if left unchanged, will lead to the collapse of the State universities in the medium term. The problem is of such magnitude and complexity that it can only be tackled by Chilean society as a whole, through a mutual agreement between the country and the State universities whereby both sides can benefit.