Students, teachers and union members marched through Santiago on Thursday, October 1, 2026, chanting "Not one peso less for education." The budget they opposed raises total public spending by 1.5%. The detailed education lines weren't published in the sources reviewed.
The Confederation of Students of Chile (Confech), which groups university student unions, called the national strike. The CUT, Chile's largest union federation, and the Colegio de Profesores teachers' union joined them. Student leaders said education cuts were possible, not confirmed.
The March
The procession set off around 10:30 a.m. from Plaza Baquedano, with permission from the regional government delegation. Clashes broke out near the Catholic University, just metres from the starting point. Carabineros, the national police, used water cannon and tear gas.
BioBioChile reported at least 12 arrests. Police haven't confirmed that preliminary figure, and no final count for October 1 had been published. Most marchers continued west toward La Moneda, the presidential palace. Metro reopened its closed station at 12:32 p.m.
The Budget Bill
President José Antonio Kast presented the bill on September 30. Health Minister May Chomali said her ministry's budget would grow 4.7%, more than three times the overall increase. The government is raising spending in one of the areas where workers have been protesting, even as it holds the total increase to 1.5%.
The education protest came one day after a health-sector strike. Confusam, the confederation of municipal health workers, struck on September 29 and 30 over the "per capita" payment the state sends municipalities for each patient enrolled at their clinics. Radio Universidad de Chile reported the current monthly rate at 11,932 pesos, about US$12.34. Confusam wants at least 16,000 pesos, about US$16.55.
The Finance Ministry offered an increase of 604 pesos, about US$0.62. The union asked for at least 1,000 pesos, about US$1.03. Per patient, the gap is small. Across a system used by 80% of Chileans for primary care, it adds up.
Arrears and Participation
Confusam said municipalities owed more than 37 billion pesos, about US$38 million, dating from December 2025. The union welcomed Decree 29, which updates the 2026 rate to settle those arrears. But Confusam said the decree wasn't a structural fix.
Participation figures diverged sharply. Confusam president Gabriela Flores claimed 90% adherence nationwide. The Health Ministry counted 31.1% of staff on strike and 69.3% of facilities affected, according to Puranoticia. The ministry said emergency rotas covered all prioritised care. A joint working group on clinic funding was due to meet again on September 30.
What Comes Next
Nobody can yet say whether the protests will continue. Confusam said it would remain "on alert" while Congress debates the bill. Lawmakers could shift money within the bill before passage, so the 604-peso offer might not be final. The exchange rate cited was 967 pesos per U.S. dollar on October 1, 2026.
Why This Matters: Chile's government is trying to limit overall spending growth to 1.5% while directing larger increases, including 4.7% for health, to priority areas. Protesters on both fronts want more, before the education figures are even public. The disputed health numbers show how small per-patient adjustments carry real fiscal weight across a system most citizens use. Congress now decides whether to reshuffle money within a tight envelope. From a fiscal-responsibility standpoint, lawmakers must answer union demands without loosening the spending ceiling. The permitted march turned to tear gas near its starting point; whether it was a one-day episode or the start of a longer budget fight remains to be seen.