Thousands of students marched through the streets of Santiago and clashed with police on Thursday demanding increases in education spending.
Organizers said around 180,000 people rallied in the capital downtown area to call for a free and improved education system.
The demonstration started peacefully, but violence erupted as some 300 hooded protesters threw rocks and sticks at police and set barricades on fire in several streets.
Officers responded using tear gas and water trucks to disperse rioters and detained dozens of people.