Madrid, October 4, 2024 – The Secretary of State for Education, Mr. Abelardo de la Rosa, today received a representative of the Association of Private and Independent Schools (CICAE) to address the current situation of private, non-subsidized schools in Spain. The meeting was attended by Mr. José Luis Delso, vice-president, and Ms. Elena Cid, general director, who presented the objectives and achievements of the association, highlighting its commitment to educational quality, pedagogical innovation and the overall welfare of students.
During the meeting, the association defended the need for the existence of the three educational networks, public, private and subsidized, valuing the fundamental social and educational work carried out by subsidized schools, especially those that are not-for-profit. And it presented the IX Report on Fees and Prices of Subsidized Schools, whose data reflect the importance of the urgent need for greater regulation and transparency of the subsidized education sector, since the current legal framework, based on the 1985 Decree, does not adjust to the educational reality or to the principles established by the LOMLOE.
CICAE pointed out that, over time, the situation of the subsidized sector has changed considerably and that not all subsidized centers currently maintain their original educational and social commitment. This has generated disparities within the system that need to be corrected to ensure free and quality education in publicly funded centers.
Increased regulation and transparency to ensure fairness
The association called for strengthening the regulation of the sector, specifically requesting:
Greater transparency in the financing and use of public funds: It is essential that public resources allocated to subsidized schools be managed in a transparent and responsible manner. The lack of adequate control over the use of these funds has generated inequalities that harm both families and the schools themselves that follow good practices.
Updating the regulatory framework: The 1985 Decree, which regulates the subsidized education system, no longer responds to the current needs of the Spanish education system or to the principles established by the LOMLOE. CICAE proposed the creation of a new regulatory framework that is aligned with the gratuity of publicly funded centers and that defends the values of equality, inclusion and educational quality established by the current law.
Defense of subsidized centers that have complied correctly: During the meeting, the importance of protecting those concerted centers that have maintained the original spirit of the educational concerts, being non-profit entities implementing many improvements in teaching and offering quality, accessible and transparent education, was stressed.
CICAE reaffirms its commitment to quality education
CICAE also reaffirmed its commitment to improving university access for foreign students, recognizing the growing international interest in the Spanish educational system and the need to facilitate their integration into the university system.
Finally, CICAE, on behalf of private and independent schools, expressed its willingness to collaborate actively in this process of improving the current educational system. And stressed the importance of continuing to move towards an educational model that favors equal opportunities and guarantees freedom of education and educational quality.
