The Colombian State must guarantee the budget for public higher education

Leopoldo Múnera

Leopoldo Múnera, a professor at the National University of Colombia, stated that in his country “The coronavirus makes social inequalities in general more visible and worsens them,” so that, “In these times of crisis, the State must guarantee the budget of public higher education institutions.”

Leopoldo Múnera announced a petition from student and faculty organizations to the Colombian government, which focuses on four key points:

“The first is zero tuition at universities and public higher education institutions, so that families in these times of crisis do not have to pay for tuition, but rather the State does so, also guaranteeing the budget of public higher education institutions.

Secondly, material guarantees so that virtual education can reach the largest number of students, which also implies adequate welfare policies.

Third, a freeze on Icetex interest rates and loan payments to avoid impacting families who are also in debt. In addition to this freeze, donations will be made in cases where students have lost their places at educational institutions due to the crisis.

And finally, a reduction in tuition fees at private institutions to also protect the families who are paying for and covering the education of young men and women in these private institutions.

These requests aim to prevent further hardship for Colombian families and can be addressed by the Colombian government if it decides now to definitively change its approach to tax policy. We cannot continue with a tax policy that disproportionately burdens workers and small and medium-sized businesses while granting exemptions to large corporations and those with substantial capital.

Let's fairly tax big corporations –Múnera concluded– And we need to have the resources not only for higher education, but also for healthcare and for unemployment insurance or basic income. I think the country needs to change its mindset on this and other points, unless it wants to face a serious crisis and social explosion in the future.”