Temuco Municipality to Challenge Fine for Metal Detector Installation in Schools
The Mayor, Roberto Neira, announced that the municipality will exhaust all administrative and judicial avenues to overturn the sanction imposed for installing a metal detector as part of the "Temuco Educates and Protects" plan.
Following the rejection of the Municipality of Temuco's defenses by the Superintendence of Education (Supereduc), which confirmed a fine of 56 Monthly Tax Units (UTM)—equivalent to over $4,800,000—for installing a metal detector at the Higher Institute of Commerce (Insuco), the municipality stated that they have filed an Administrative Appeal with new evidence and arguments. If not accepted, this will lead to legal actions.
Mayor Roberto Neira explained that this action aims to reverse what he considers an unjust punitive measure since the device is part of the municipal school safety plan "Temuco Educates and Protects". "We have filed an appeal with the Superintendence of Education; it should have already been analyzed. We responded to all the grounds presented to us and made it clear in those responses that we have never intended to violate our students' rights or their education," Neira stated.
The mayor reiterated that the municipality's goal is to ensure the well-being of educational communities: "Through the Temuco Educates and Protects plan, we aim to provide better educational conditions, prevention, mental health, and internal and external security in our establishments."
Muriel Maturana Arriagada, Director of Legal Advisory at the municipality, detailed that the appeal reproduces and expands on the arguments previously raised in the original defenses. "If the Superintendence upholds this sanction, we will continue to pursue it through all judicial instances, reinforcing our arguments. Fundamental student rights are not violated but rather their physical and psychological integrity is protected," she stated.
The lawyer added that installing the metal detector was not an isolated measure but a planned action: "This action is part of a pilot plan within a comprehensive security plan, not an isolated but preventive action."
In line with this, Marcelo Segura Herrera, Head of the Municipal Department of Education (DAEM), highlighted the positive impact that the initiative has had on school coexistence at Insuco: "The installation of metal detectors is part of a communal public policy where prevention, participation, and mental health issues are paramount. Since its implementation in March, no acts of violence have been reported in this first semester that is about to end."
The "Temuco Educates and Protects" plan stems from a participatory diagnosis with school communities themselves and focuses on risk prevention, promoting safe and inclusive environments, and strengthening mental health in education. The municipality insists that installing the metal detector is not about criminalizing students, but about comprehensively caring for them.
Fuente: Araucanía Noticias
