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All residents were very concerned about their children's education. They sent their children to school regularly. Caburgua did not offer schooling beyond the fourth grade, so only parents who had the resources could board their children in Pucón or Villarrica. Unfortunately, fewer than ten percent did this.

The main school was Catholic and under the leadership of German Capuchin monks. The monks hired Chilean teachers, but they remained in charge of the management and periodically met with parents to discuss issues. There was also a private school taught by a woman in her house, but for most students the walk in the winter was too far, and was dangerous when flooding occurred.  

Both schools received some government subsidies, which covered most of the costs. In a valley at the north end of Lake Caburgua, named Rio Blanco, parents had started, but left unfinished, a one room school. In 1967 they organized a fiesta and completed the school, but couldn't find a teacher willing to live in such an isolated place. In rural Chile, teachers often had to be real pioneers.

Pioneers of Culture

Higher than Caburgua was the region of Paillaco, where Professor Teodoro Mättig and his colleagues built a three room school, largely with community support. He and his wife always gave Lorenzo a warm welcome, offering mate and conversing about national and international issues. One night Teodoro, showed off his shortwave radio, even tuning in to Radio Havana. Chileans frequently surprised foreign visitors with their knowledge and keen interest in international affairs.

The Politics of Building Education

During the administration of Eduardo Frei Montalva (1964-1970), the government developed various programs to extend education to more students. In one such program, the government supplied prefabricated building materials and children's parents built the school.

Some Caburgua residents living at the south end of the lake heard about this program and signed up for it through a government representative in Pucón. A number of parents were descendants of the Mapuche octogenarian, Hilario Nahuel. With time, Caburgua residents referred to this project as "la Escuela Nahuel." They enlisted the local Peace Corps Volunteer to help them negotiate with government agencies.

Perhaps 18 months passed before a government representative designated this community as a recipient of the building materials. In the meantime, the community organized a fiesta to raise funds. It was a two-day affair with a ramada (a post-lintel structure with a roof of branches), lots of drinks, empanadas, dancing—and a brief fight. The fiesta was a financial success and the community raised a few hundred dollars (2000 Escudos).

The supplies arrived in the middle of summer. A "master carpenter" and his son, contracted by the government, oversaw the construction, while community members, who had built their own homes and barns, laid the foundation and framed the school. When they were ready to put the roof panels on, they complained to the master carpenter that some walls leaned about 15 degrees off center, but he blamed the pre-cut materials and brushed off their concerns.  When the government architect inspected the school and the locals shared their concerns, he demanded that the wall be straightened. There were many "I told you so"s whispered by the neighbors.  

Four Decades of Literacy

Building the school was only part of opening it for students. A different government agency had to officially accept the school and then assign a teacher. It took almost a year of visits to the Ministry of Education offices before the first teacher arrived and classes began. From 1968 for almost four decades, this school educated the children of Caburgua.

In the 1990s the government built a large, modern school which even boasted dormitory facilities. It was about four miles from the Escuela Nahuel, which today is a meeting center and field for the Caburgua soccer club.

Image Descriptions (Left to Right)

Escuela Misional for many years was the only school in Caburgua. Run by Capuchin priests from Germany.

Gathering of students and teachers in front of the Paillaco school.

In a high saddle separating Caburgua from the Huife Valley the rural community of Paillaco built a school. The first teacher, Teodoro Mättig, expanded the school to include the sixth grade. Professor Mattig, likewise, was a strong proponent for the Caburgua school, improved roads, and innocative forestry and farming.

Professor Mättig educated his students about the need for reforestation. He helped them build a nursery and plant pine tree seeds. When the seedings were a year old, they transplanted them to their parents' farmland.

Students and parent in front of the nearly finished Rio Blanco school.

As late as the 1960s, the Rio Blanco community had no school. Although neighbors completed part of the building, the project lingered without windows or interior paneling. In 1967, however, community leaders such as the Peña and Albornoz families organized a fiesta to raise funds to finish the school. Unfortunately, the first teacher assigned to the school quit after two weeks. She found Rio Blanco too isolated. It was a two hour horseback ride from Lake Caburgua and another hour boat ride to the nearest road. Neighbors had better luck with the next teacher. Years later a road would be built to give access to Cunco. The hot springs in the valley would also be developed. It would be interesting to know how many Rio Blanco students continued their educational careers elsewhere.

Alfonso Vega, Poli Nahuel, and other family members getting ready to put the roof panels on the school.