Chile's Junaeb launches Healthy Schools and Winter Open Schools projects

The National Board of School Aid and Scholarships (Junaeb) inaugurated a Healthy Schools program at Punta de Parra Basic School in the Biobío region. Directed by national Junaeb chief Fernando Peña, the initiative will serve 183 students with a $19 million investment through December, providing activities such as zumba, climbing, motor skill circuits and nutrition education. The project continues Junaeb’s response to the summer forest fires that destroyed the school, complementing its nationwide rollout of 34 Healthy Schools projects across 14 regions with a total budget near $630 million.

In Antofagasta, Junaeb’s regional office opened the first Winter Open Schools in María Elena, using the Arturo Pérez Canto school as a protected space for students during the school recess. Regional director Nellie Miranda highlighted that the programme offers supervised recreational, cultural and educational activities—including a robotics workshop, healthy‑eating sessions, film screenings and field trips—along with meals, aiming to foster social skills and overall well‑being.

Both initiatives reflect Junaeb’s effort to provide continuity of education, health and psychosocial support to Chilean students after emergencies and during holiday periods.