Summary.
The draft bill establishes a coordination process for changes to private schools’ enrollment fees, annual tuition, uniforms, school supplies and other educational services. The schools, their parents’ associations and the Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) would participate. It defines a student’s guardian as the person responsible to the school who signs the educational services contract. It also defines annual tuition, a parents’ association, a private school, enrollment fees and a coordination session. Private schools are subject to supervision by the Ministry of Education through the National Directorate of Private Education (Dirección Nacional de Educación Particular). Other services include charges for stationery, psychological counseling, basic medical care, student insurance, identification cards, laboratories, yearbooks, extracurricular activities, club memberships and internet access.
The private school, acting through its legal representative or principal, would convene the parents’ association and the Private Education Coordinator of the relevant Regional Directorate of Education (Dirección Regional de Educación). Notice of the proposed changes would have to be given at least six (6) months before the next school year’s enrollment period begins. To propose the changes, the school would have to notify parents and the Ministry of Education in writing, stating the session’s date, place and time. It would present a technical study diagnosing and justifying the proposed increase on financial, educational or institutional operating grounds. The regional coordinator would represent the Ministry of Education, mediate and seek an agreement among the parties.
At the session, the school would explain orally the proposal previously delivered in writing and allow parents to ask questions, comment or object. If no objections arose during the session, the proposal would be deemed approved. Otherwise, parents would have seven (7) business days to submit written objections. The school would then have an additional fifteen (15) business days to assess them and would convene a second and final session to communicate its final decision. The Regional Directorate of Education, through the coordinator, would keep an updated file containing minutes, proposals, objections and resolutions.
Schools would have to guarantee that parents’ associations can be formed and operate. They would also make information on costs and decisions from coordination sessions available to parents and guardians in a visible place on campus and, where digital channels exist, through institutional electronic platforms. Failure to publish this information could be treated as an administrative violation and sanctioned under existing regulations. Parents or their associations could request a review by the relevant Regional Directorate of Education (Dirección Regional de Educacjón) if they considered that the procedures had not been properly followed or cost increases had not been adequately justified. The proposal concerns these education authorities, private schools, parents’ associations and students’ families.
What it proposes.
- Coordination of changes to private education costs.
- Justification and discussion of proposed increases.
- Publication of cost information and decisions.
- Review of procedures and increases.
Who it would affect.
- Private schools.
- Parents, guardians and their associations.
- The Ministry of Education and the relevant regional offices.
Key points.
- Establishes a coordination process for changes to enrollment fees, annual tuition, uniforms, supplies and other educational services.Art. 1
- Defines the participants, categories of charges and coordination session.Art. 2
- Requires notice to the parents’ association and regional coordinator at least six (6) months before the next enrollment period.Art. 3
- Requires written notice and a technical study justifying an increase; the regional coordinator mediates among the parties.Art. 4
- Governs oral presentation, objections, their deadlines and the second session at which the final decision is communicated.Art. 5
- Requires the Regional Directorate of Education to maintain an updated file on the process.Art. 6
- Requires schools to respect parents’ associations and publish cost and decision information; failure to publish may lead to an administrative sanction.Arts. 7-8
- Allows parents or their associations to seek regional review of the procedures or the justification for increases.Art. 9