The changes proposed by the new provisions of the Statutory Education Law

In recent days, the discontent of the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Fecode) regarding the education reformwhich led them to call for an indefinite strike of teachers in Bogotá.

However, the Government has already reiterated its position of not withdrawing the bill. In this regard, two papers arrived at the Congress of the Republic that will be discussed in the Senate Plenary next Monday, June 17.

(Read: Universities reject alternative proposal for reform of the educational system).

The first presentation was presented by senators María José Pizarro, Aída Marina Quilcué, Ariel Ávila, Julián Gallo and Alberto Benavides. The second was signed by senators David Luna, Paloma Valencia, Germán Blanco, Alfredo DeLuque and Juan Carlos García.

Regarding the presentation filed by the coalition of the Government and Cambio Radical, the magazine ‘Cambio’ explained the modifications they propose, of which some are in line with what Fecode proposes.

In articles 7 and 12 of the text, they prioritize strengthening and investment of official establishments and public higher education institutions. It is also mentioned that “The autonomy of higher education institutions is guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the Political Constitution and the law.”.

(More: Six reasons why the CUT joins the strike over changes to the Statutory Education Law).

The first presentation also refers to the public institutions and the Senanoting that “The Government will provide all sufficient and necessary resources to guarantee the right to education in public institutions throughout the country.“. As for the Sena, in the text they point out that its autonomy as the entity in charge of the Comprehensive Vocational Training of workers and the population in general is guaranteed.

Another of the important changes that the aforementioned medium emphasizes is the elimination of article 18, which mentioned tertiary education.

Regarding the teacher’s evaluation, with which Fecode did not agree, the presentation points out that “Its purpose is not to point out or remove the teacher from his work, and includes carrying out technical, pedagogical and reflective tests on his practice and the active participation of the educational community, which are pertinent and relevant from his educational context.“.

(See: These are the Colombian universities that most complied with the SDGs worldwide).

Regarding the presentation that represents the opposition and independents, these are the decisive points that it will have, according to the magazine ‘Cambio’.

In the first instance, they highlight that the education system, including education for workshould be understood as: “mixed, pluralistic, open, decentralized and participatory, harmoniously integrated by sectors, instances, entities, establishments, institutions, bodies and other natural and legal persons of a public or private nature, which allow guaranteeing education throughout life at its different levels: initial, basic, middle and tertiary“.

It also emphasizes the university autonomynoting that each higher education institution “It will autonomously determine in its statutes the way in which these principles will be applied (…). No administrative authority, under the pretext of promoting, supporting or guaranteeing the democratization of the Government and management of universities, may invade this autonomy.“.

(Read: Ten district schools adopt the International Baccalaureate model).

As for the evaluation processesit is mentioned that the teacher’s evaluation will be mandatory, and “must guarantee the right of students to quality education and the effective acquisition of knowledge, taking into account their contexts“.

What was mentioned in these two presentations will be discussed this Monday, June 17, in the plenary session of the Senate, taking into account that the deadline to approve this bill is until June 20, otherwise, it could sink.

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