NewsWhore
07-07-2011, 03:50 PM
The Ministry of Education says that private schools have 10 days to present documentation to back up the increases in tuition and other charges for the 2011-2012 school year. Many private schools charge up front all or a large part of the school year in March of the previous school year, while others do so on a monthly basis.
Private schools have acknowledged tuition increases of 10-30%. The schools argue they do not have the flexibility to increase their charges during the year to compensate for increased costs, as other businesses are free to do.
The National Education Council, chaired by Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, met yesterday and issued a resolution stating that private schools that are not authorized need to maintain the same tuition charged in the 2010-2011 school year.
Pimentel said that the documents to justify the increases needed to be submitted to the Ministry of Education's Private Schools Department. She said the department would evaluate the documentation to check for investments and cost increases that justify the increases. Furthermore, she said the documentation needed to be supported by approval by the school's Parents Association.
Recently, the press reported that the National Federation of Private Schools (Fenacep) had authorized increases of up to 30% in tuition, and retaining report cards as well as sending parents who fall behind in their payments to the Data Credito credit agency. Some schools are requiring advance billing for the school year.
The CNE ruled that it is against the law to retain the students' grades, whether or not the parents are up to date with their payments for the school year. The CNE says the grades should be released after a payment agreement has been made with the parents.
Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, Rosa Ariza representing the Federation of Private Schools (Fenacep), Juan Avila representing the Federation of Parents of Private Schools and Public Schools, Josefa Castillo for the Chamber of Deputies Education Commission and Altagracia Paulino, director of the Consumer Protection Institute (ProConsumidor) among others were present at the National Education Council meeting.
The resolution establishes possible increases of 4% to 20% based on a case-by-case study.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)
Private schools have acknowledged tuition increases of 10-30%. The schools argue they do not have the flexibility to increase their charges during the year to compensate for increased costs, as other businesses are free to do.
The National Education Council, chaired by Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, met yesterday and issued a resolution stating that private schools that are not authorized need to maintain the same tuition charged in the 2010-2011 school year.
Pimentel said that the documents to justify the increases needed to be submitted to the Ministry of Education's Private Schools Department. She said the department would evaluate the documentation to check for investments and cost increases that justify the increases. Furthermore, she said the documentation needed to be supported by approval by the school's Parents Association.
Recently, the press reported that the National Federation of Private Schools (Fenacep) had authorized increases of up to 30% in tuition, and retaining report cards as well as sending parents who fall behind in their payments to the Data Credito credit agency. Some schools are requiring advance billing for the school year.
The CNE ruled that it is against the law to retain the students' grades, whether or not the parents are up to date with their payments for the school year. The CNE says the grades should be released after a payment agreement has been made with the parents.
Education Minister Josefina Pimentel, Rosa Ariza representing the Federation of Private Schools (Fenacep), Juan Avila representing the Federation of Parents of Private Schools and Public Schools, Josefa Castillo for the Chamber of Deputies Education Commission and Altagracia Paulino, director of the Consumer Protection Institute (ProConsumidor) among others were present at the National Education Council meeting.
The resolution establishes possible increases of 4% to 20% based on a case-by-case study.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#1)