The Venezuelan Association of Rectors (Averu) has issued a forceful statement in which it denounces the salary crisis that plagues universities as a “systemic loss of capabilities”, a problem that is causing a devastating effect on university familiesdamaging the national heritage and dismantling the capacity of institutions to fulfill their educational and research mission.
The body of rectors addressed the country to expose the “continuous loss of institutional capacities” in the Venezuelan university system and demand urgent actions for its preservation.
I. Human and legal damage: the unavoidable crisis
Averu maintains that current salaries are not only insufficient to cover basic needs, but also prevent “training professionals of excellence for the present and future of the country”, plunging personnel into economic precariousness and hopelessness.
The statement emphasizes that the situation violates fundamental principles, which constitutes a legal breach by the State:
- Human damage and quality of life: The salary poverty “flagrantly violates the right to a decent life” of university citizens, leading to a “devastating” deterioration in university families.
- Property damage and competitiveness: The attrition of high-quality professionals impacts educational quality and compromises the nation’s future as a competitor on a global scale.
- Institutional damage and autonomy: The denial of fair salaries suffocates the essential functions of universities, making it difficult to comply with the university autonomy enshrined in the University Law.
II. Legal compliance requirement and technical table
The crisis, according to Averu, is the direct result of the non-compliance with Article 13 of the Universities Law and the Budget Lawwhich establishes that university financing should not be less than 1.5% of total budgeted income.
Faced with this scenario, the rectors propose three concrete and urgent actions:
- Immediate compliance with the legal framework: They demand that the effective disbursement of resources be guaranteed to stop salary devaluation and ensure minimum operation.
- Installation of a technical table: Call for the immediate formation of a working group with the Ministry of Popular Power for University Education, the Finance Commission of the National Assembly and Averu. The objective is to establish transparent mechanisms for the execution of resources.
- University management commitment: Universities reaffirm their commitment to efficient and transparent administration for the stabilization of human talent and the reactivation of academic capabilities.
The Averu concludes by making a call to co-responsibilitydeclaring that public university education is a non-negotiable pillar for the future of the country and that its recovery requires joint efforts and strict compliance with the law.
