University and secondary school students flooded in the Senate Headquarters during the education budget committee meeting and occupied the Senate office building Thursday for eight hours to demand a referendum on how to resolve Chile's social problems, especially education.

Students have been boycotting classes and mounting demonstrations for nearly six months pushing their demand that the government make extensive changes in Chile's education system, including making public schools free for everyone, they also demand state subsidies for private colleges reduced.

The occupation came just hours after riot police evicted protesters from galleries at the Congress building in Chile's port city of Valparaiso.

Police sealed off the building with metal barriers to keep more demonstrators from entering and faced off with a crowd of about 600 protesters holding signs demanding "Free Education" and "Referendum Now." A few dozen activists tried to force their way in but were driven back by water cannons.

Students protests have won have won sympathy for the students from about 80 percent of the population, according to opinion polls. At the same time, President Sebastian Pinera's support has dropped to between 20 percent and 30 percent.

The protesters finally agreed to leave the building after talking with opposition senators and representatives who agreed to introduce legislation for holding a referendum.