Ten Santiago schools refuse free text books

SANTIAGO.- After ten schools in the capital city decided to refuse the free text books being given out by the government to municipal and subsidized educational establishments, the Undersecretary of Education, Cristián Martínez, has said that the Ministry will continue to insist that they accept the books.

"We are going to try again, speak again with the schools, invite them to receive the books and evaluate what other measure may be taken with regards to this matter, which is a right of the people", Martínez told Radio Cooperativa.

Meanwhile, the president of the Metropolitan Association of Parents and Guardians, Eduardo Catalán, said he was upset by the arbitrary decision of the schools.

"It seems irrational for them to return or not accept these books and make the parents purchasethem, since we are already having a difficult year and we believe many parents are unemployed", stated Catalán.

The Ministry of Education has lost close to $600 million pesos due to the return of 30 thousand text books that were supposed to be distributed to students.