In the midst of disagreements in Congress over educational reform, ASCUN sends a letter and asks that what was agreed be maintained

06/13/2024

The discussion in the Congress of the Republic on the draft statutory education law continues to generate controversies and difficulties for its approval, since two different papers have been filed. This occurs despite the fact that on June 5, a consensus was reached in the First Committee of the Senate, which resulted in the unanimous approval of amendment 274 of 2024.

The Colombian Association of Universities (ASCUN) expressed its dissatisfaction with the filing of these two papers, arguing that crucial points that had been previously debated are being disregarded. The amendment, which was the result of a multiparty dialogue and managed to unite congressmen from different political parties with the Government of President Gustavo Petro, was considered an example of agreement and representativeness.

However, ASCUN regrets that, despite this achievement, it has fallen back into polarization and distrust in the established agreements. Therefore, they insist on the importance of discussing the agreed points and maintaining what has been established, even if they do not completely satisfy all parties involved.

Among the points of disagreement, the concern about how the right to education will be guaranteed for students who attend private institutions thanks to government loansbecause they fear that this ignores the reality of a mixed educational system that has worked well, in which there are also private non-profit institutions.

On the other hand, university autonomy, recognized constitutionally, is questioned by the inclusion of controversial interpretations that require direct democratic processes and prohibit representative democracy.

In this situation, ASCUN calls on the Senate of the Republic to return to and analyze the points agreed upon in the amendment and work on a bill that really contributes to solving the difficulties faced by the Colombian educational system, taking into account the challenges of current and future society. The association hopes that these concerns will be considered in the next debate in the Senate, in order to “reach a consensus that benefits the entire educational community in the country.”