Antofagasta Suspends Municipal School Classes Until Monday After Storm Damage

Classes in Antofagasta's municipal schools have been suspended until Monday after a severe frontal system caused widespread damage throughout the city. The suspension is necessary to allow for extensive cleaning and infrastructure repairs at the educational facilities.

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After conducting an exhaustive review of all educational establishments, I must tell you that classes can only be restarted on Monday.

On Wednesday, the seven schools that had been used as emergency shelters were vacated. Municipal Corporation for Social Development (CMDS) teams have taken possession of the buildings to begin the necessary adjustments. Following the departure of 1,290 residents who had been sheltered, cleaning crews are working to sanitize classrooms and common areas. The goal is to ensure that students return to a safe and healthy learning environment once the climate emergency has passed.

Mayor Sacha Razmilic confirmed the extended closure after a technical review. "After conducting an exhaustive review of all educational establishments, I must tell you that classes can only be restarted on Monday," he announced. Razmilic detailed that "electrical failures in all establishments and fallen ceiling panels" were detected, along with other repairs that cannot be completed quickly.

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Electrical failures in all establishments and fallen ceiling panels were detected, along with other repairs that cannot be completed quickly.

Initially, the plan was only for deep cleaning and sanitization. However, the extent of the damage requires more significant work. "The original idea was only to do deep cleaning, cleaning, sanitizing, but we will have to do a bit more, because the establishments are not in a condition to start classes tomorrow, which was my interest and the interest of the community in general so that the children can return to classes," Razmilic stated. He assured that classes would resume on Monday, marking a return to normalcy.

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The original idea was only to do deep cleaning, cleaning, sanitizing, but we will have to do a bit more, because the establishments are not in a condition to start classes tomorrow.