He National Government has not given up on reforming the public higher education system throughout the country, based on the issue of financing, which is why it filed a new bill with Congress bill to achieve this.
This is key, since state universities, as a whole, have had budgetary problems since the 1990s, when the Law 30which sets the rules of the game for the finances of educational institutions.
Below we explain some aspects of this initiative:
What does this project aim to achieve?
The project seeks to transform the financing scheme for public higher education in Colombia to comprehensively address the financial challenges faced by public higher education institutions in the country.
(You may be interested in: Bogotá prepares proposal for a new tax structure; what is it about?).
What is the aim?
Modify articles 86 and 87 of Law 30 of 1992 with regard to the financing of public universities, professional technical institutions, technological institutions, universities or state or official technological schools, and public establishments of the territorial order.
Higher education.
How does the funding model currently work?
Today, the financing model established by Law 30 is based on state contributions that are adjusted each year according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)This scheme does not take into account the real increase in system coverage, the improvement in quality, or the increase in costs associated with the provision of educational services over time. This has generated a significant financial gap in public higher education institutions.
With the amendment proposed in the bill, how will the funding model work?
– Contributions to universities and professional technical institutions, technological institutions, universities or state or official technological schools will be calculated based on the budget assigned to each institution and will be adjusted according to the Higher Education Cost Index (ICES) of state or official HEIs, calculated annually by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE).
– If the annual increase in the Higher Education Cost Index (ICES) of state or official HEIs is lower than the variation in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the increase in contributions from the General Budget of the Nation will be adjusted based on the variation in the CPI.
– Resources equivalent to 0.05% of the Gross Domestic Product calculated by the DANE in the first year of application of the Law will be allocated from the General Budget of the Nation to establish the budgetary base of professional technical institutions, technological institutions, universities or state or official technological schools, including public establishments at the territorial level.
– The sustainability of the new sections, headquarters and development sites created to expand the higher education offering will be guaranteed, with additional resources to the budget base.
– Additional resources will be made available to increase the operating budget of public HEIs, as well as investment resources to increase the installed capacity of public higher education.
(Besides: This is what Latino households spend for every $100 they have in their pockets).
Higher education
iStock
What will the additional resources be used for?
Additional contributions and resources will be directed towards:
– Progressive increase in access, permanence and graduation of undergraduate students from state or official higher education institutions, to reduce territorial and social gaps.
– Improving the quality and relevance of the offer.
– Institutional well-being.
– Strengthening the teaching and administrative staff of state or official higher education institutions.
– Address the variations resulting from the application of the current teacher salary and benefits system.
– For infrastructure projects and quality enhancement plans.
Additional resources will be subject to budget availability, and the Government will monitor their efficient and transparent use.
PORTFOLIO
