Thousands protest Chile educational reforms

Clashes have erupted between Chilean police forces and thousands of people protesting government educational reforms and a crackdown on demonstrators in the capital, Santiago.

The clashes took place as thousands of students and teachers gathered in the capital, on Wednesday.

Teachers also demanded an improvement in their working conditions.

Reports say police used water cannons to break up crowds of protesters.

The clashes come days after Chile’s largest teachers’ union announced an indefinite strike over the reforms, saying they would propose the reorganization of the salary-scale for teachers and increase the amount of time they would be required to spend in “non-school hours.”

Last month, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced reforms that would make university education free for 60 percent of the nation’s poorest students, starting next year. Student protesters are demanding reforms be implemented sooner.