The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight the need to strengthen the autonomy of independent private schools and move toward a family-centered funding model.
On April 15, representatives of the Circle for Educational Quality (CICAE) held a meeting at the Congress of Deputies with members of the Vox Parliamentary Group to share the vision and proposals of the independent private education sector in Spain.
Representing CICAE were its president, José Antonio Rois; its vice president, Iván Martínez Pastor; and its executive director, Elena Cid. Representing Vox were Members of Parliament Joaquín Robles and José Ramírez del Crío.
During the meeting, CICAE highlighted the strategic role of independent private education within the Spanish educational system, emphasizing its contribution to internationalization, educational excellence, innovation, and efficiency.
One of the main issues addressed was the need to clearly distinguish between existing educational models. In this regard, CICAE emphasized the importance of specifically recognizing independent private education within the regulatory framework, thereby avoiding excessive regulation that would limit its development and autonomy.
The organization also advocated for the need to move toward true autonomy for private schools, which would allow for greater curricular freedom, organizational capacity, flexibility in management and faculty hiring, as well as results-based evaluation systems.
With regard to funding, CICAE proposed the implementation of a family-centered model based on direct aid, including scholarships or education vouchers for non-compulsory education and tax deductions for educational expenses during compulsory education. This approach, grounded in the principles of freedom, equity, and transparency, places families at the center of the education system.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, during which representatives of the Vox Parliamentary Group expressed interest in the issues raised and their willingness to keep channels of collaboration with the organization open.
CICAE will continue to work to defend the interests of independent private education and to secure recognition of its strategic value within the Spanish education system.
