智利总统任命新教育部长

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　　Beyer was forced to step down after congress indicted¹ him last week of failing to provide oversight² of Chile's institutions of higher learning, which have been tarnished³ by charges of corruption⁴ and profiteering. He has been banned for five years from holding public office.

　　"The new education minister has an ambitious, clear and highly demanding mandate⁵" that "seeks to make unwavering progress towards a country that can ensure quality education for its children and youngsters," Pinera said of his new nominee⁶.

　　Schmidt was the highest-rated member of Pinera's cabinet, with a 71 percent approval rating among Chileans. She becomes Pinera's fourth Education Minister.

　　After the announcement, Chile's dissident student movement on Monday called on Schmidt to steer⁷ clear of the conservative policies they feel have eroded⁸ the country's education system.

　　"We hope the new minister is not from the most conservative wing of the government, which has been the (camp) that has prevented all types of initiatives," said Diego Vela, a dissident spokesman and president of the Catholic University Student Federation⁹.

　　"What we need are fundamental changes in education," said Vela.

　　The students delivered a letter containing their demands to the presidential palace of La Moneda Monday.

　　Chile's student movement began in 2011 with mass protests against the increasing privatization of education by Pinera's pro- business government and the erosion of public education. The students have been calling for a complete overhaul¹⁰ of the education system to improve it and make it more affordable¹¹.

　　The education crisis continues to plague Pinera's administration and his conservative party months before the presidential elections slated¹² for next November.

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