The (Non-)Panacea of "Free Education for All"

Abstract

Throughout the presidential campaign we have heard arguments for and against universal free education, one of the fundamental reforms proposed by President-elect Michelle Bachelet. In this article we want to explain why we believe that, before discussing free higher education, we must guarantee free, high-quality education at the preschool, primary, and secondary levels. This does not mean that the publicly subsidized private school sector should be “done away with,” but rather that there must be new rules for the operation and financing of public schools and subsidized private schools, and for the teaching career. Continue reading...