Beyer was forced to step down after congress indicted him last week of failing to provide oversight of Chile's institutions of higher learning, which have been tarnished by charges of corruption and profiteering. He has been banned for five years from holding public office.

　　"The new education minister has an ambitious, clear and highly demanding mandate" that "seeks to make unwavering progress towards a country that can ensure quality education for its children and youngsters," Pinera said of his new nominee.

　　Schmidt was the highest-rated member of Pinera's cabinet, with a 71 percent approval rating among Chileans. She becomes Pinera's fourth Education Minister.

　　After the announcement, Chile's dissident student movement on Monday called on Schmidt to steer clear of the conservative policies they feel have eroded the country's education system.

　　"We hope the new minister is not from the most conservative wing of the government, which has been the (camp) that has prevented all types of initiatives," said Diego Vela, a dissident spokesman and president of the Catholic University Student Federation.

　　"What we need are fundamental changes in education," said Vela.

　　The students delivered a letter containing their demands to the presidential palace of La Moneda Monday.

　　Chile's student movement began in 2011 with mass protests against the increasing privatization of education by Pinera's pro- business government and the erosion of public education. The students have been calling for a complete overhaul of the education system to improve it and make it more affordable.

　　The education crisis continues to plague Pinera's administration and his conservative party months before the presidential elections slated for next November.