Chilean president's landmark education reform passes first hurdle

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's landmark education reform passed its first major hurdle on Tuesday after the Lower House approved the bill and sent it on to the Senate, where a heated debate awaits.

The multi-pronged reform initially seeks to put an end to profits at state-subsidized schools and to eliminate selective entrance policies at those establishments. It will be financed by a recently approved tax overhaul that will increase the state's coffers by $8.3 billion.