CHILEAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ENDED THEIR BIGGEST STRIKE IN THREE DECADES ON FRIDAY AS THE MOVEMENT APPEARED TO FIZZLE AND PROTESTERS ACCEPTED GOVERNMENT PLANS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, ACCORDING TO REUTERS. THE MONTHLONG STRIKE IN LATIN AMERICA'S STAR ECONOMY DREW MASSIVE STREET PROTESTS ACROSS CHILE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, WITH STUDENTS, POLICE AND JOURNALISTS HURT AND STORES RANSACKED IN THE CAPITAL OF SANTIAGO. "WE BELIEVE WE HAVE WON THE ECONOMIC CONCESSIONS WE WERE SEEKING FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND WE FEEL THE STUDENTS HAVE HAD A GREAT VICTORY THAT MUST BE CELEBRATED BY THEIR PEERS," SAID JUAN CARLOS HERRERA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MOVEMENT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH REUTERS. CHILEAN PRESIDENT MICHELLE BACHELET REACTED TO PROTESTS BY ANNOUNCING NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN CHILE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS, INCLUDING SOME $135 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL ANNUAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS. THE STREET PROTESTS FIZZLED OUT IN THE FOLLOWING DAYS AFTER BACHELET SAID ON WEDNESDAY HER OFFER WAS FINAL.
