Uncertainty on Night Trips: A Growing Concern for Students in the O’Higgins Region

A recent study conducted by the Citizen Peace Institute and⁢ the National⁤ Directorate of Student Affairs ‍of Santo Tomás has shed light on the difficulties faced by students in the O’Higgins ‍Region, ‌particularly in terms of public transport availability and quality.

The research ⁤highlights that public transport in the region is insufficient, especially after 8:30 pm, ⁤when bus and coach services are scarce. Students‍ are forced to resort ⁢to private transportation services, which ⁣not only⁤ adds to their⁤ expenses but also creates a sense of vulnerability and fear of crime.

Perception of Uncertainty on Journeys

The⁣ lack of transportation options has led to a ⁣constant fear of being ‌a victim of crime among night students in the region. ⁢A staggering 77% of students⁢ surveyed in⁢ O’Higgins reported feeling unsafe during their journey from their place of study to their home. This ​percentage is higher than⁢ the national average and highlights ⁣an alarming situation.

Women, in particular, report higher levels of anxiety and have adopted various measures⁢ to protect themselves, such as traveling⁤ in groups or using transport applications that allow them to share their location in real-time with family or ‌friends.

Impact on Student Life

Fear and lack⁤ of adequate transportation ⁤not only affect students’ safety ⁢but also have a direct impact on their academic lives. Many students choose to withdraw before school ends⁢ or⁣ avoid participating in extracurricular activities for ‌fear of not being able to return home safely.‌ This not ‍only limits their educational experience but can also have a negative impact on their academic performance.

According to Manuel Olmos⁤ Muñoz, rector of ⁢the ⁤headquarters of Santo Tomás Rancagua,​ “The concept of‌ ‘exclusion’ raised by students who, for various reasons, cannot stay for the whole​ day and have to leave is quite painful,‌ which will have ​an impact on their performance and the ⁣possibility of leaving.”‌ He also noted that almost 60% of students who continue their higher education in Rancagua come from other communities.

Recommendations for Improvement

In response to these challenges, the report offers several recommendations for ‍the ‍O’Higgins‌ Region. One of the most urgent is to improve public transport‍ infrastructure, ‌including increasing⁤ the frequency of buses and night buses and implementing measures to guarantee⁢ safety⁤ at transport stops.

The Higher Education Institutions of the region,⁢ grouped in IES Sexta, are taking steps to create working groups with related bodies to address these issues and ensure that students have access to safe and reliable transportation.