Since a bill is being discussed in the Assembly of Panama that intends to force all private educational centers to offer discounts to students who receive virtual education, the business sector is opposed to this measure, as it is an attack against free enterprise.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
The Assembly informed last January 21 that a bill was presented which aims to regulate the percentage of discounts in private schools and universities, if the teaching modality is virtual, blended and face-to-face.
The text of the law pretends that every school, college or private university must present to the guardians and students of legal age the tables of differentiated costs according to the modality of education.
The initiative establishes that in the matter of contracts, private educational centers must clearly establish the differentiated discount for the virtual, semi-presential and face-to-face teaching modality.
For private educational institutions, schools or colleges with more than 1,100 students, a 35% discount will be applied. The same percentage applies to private universities with more than 400 students; the discount will be applied to the annual tuition as well as to the cost of each subject, explains Article 3 of the bill.
According to the Assembly's press release, for private schools the discount will be applicable to the total annual tuition. For private colleges or universities with fewer students, the discounts will be 25% and will be applicable in the same manner.
This proposal is already worrying Panamanian businessmen. Laestrella.com.pa reviews that the "... Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede) expressed its concern about the draft bill, since it 'jeopardizes the quality of education and goes against the principle of free enterprise'."
According to Apede, "... this type of legislative initiatives would undermine private education, which has contributed enormously to the development of the country and whose demand has grown over the years due to the deterioration of public education."
The article adds that "... Moreover, the legislative proposal indicates that 'the administration costs of a private company are not the same as those generated by a distance education company', a subjective assertion that is not supported by verifiable figures, and that leaves aside several fundamental issues."
The National Assembly of Panama approved in third debate the bill that defines the cost rules to be applied by educational centers, depending on the academic training modalities.
Due to the economic crisis generated by the covid-19 outbreak, it is estimated that between 10% and 12% of students in private institutions in Costa Rica have stopped demanding the services, and tuition fees have gone down.
When the first cases were detected in the country in March, the authorities began to decree restrictions on mobility and productive activities, a situation that generated a severe economic crisis.
The health and economic crisis has forced private schools and universities in Central American countries to cut back on staff, invest in platforms for virtual classes, offer payment facilities and increase their presence in the digital environment.
Because of the spread of covid-19, in most countries in the region, face-to-face classes at all educational levels have been suspended since mid-March 2020.
Tuition and enrollment fees of 43 private educational institutions teaching Pre-school, Primary, PreMiddle and Middle (Bachelor).
The Authority for Consumer Protection and Antitrust, ACODECO, has carried out a non-probability sampling trial, which is based on a list of 43 private colleges who were sent note to invite them to participate in a survey which is carried out annually on registration and tuition fees of private schools in the City of Panama.
×
ok
6931Government Procurement Opportunities in the region
español
6931
