The Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Finance are studying the best solutions for the case of the payment of tuition fees for April defended by the National Private Education Association (ANEP).
The head of the Department for Monitoring Prices and Subsidies at the State Asset Management and Participation Institute (IGAPE), Raimundo da Rosa, confirms the negotiations and recalls that those in charge of education signed a contract with educational institutions, in which there was the methodology demanded now by educational institutions.
ANEP's president, António Pacavira, said that there is no rule that prohibits the charging of tuition fees this month. "Parents must understand that the situation is not a complete stoppage of classes and, even so, we all know the reason," he said, stressing that the Presidential Decree, which institutes the State of Emergency, establishes that employers must safeguard employees. jobs and not lay off staff.
António Pacavira stresses that teachers are fulfilling their home quarantine, but will be paid their respective salaries. "Is it legitimate to receive the salary and not pay the teacher's fee?", He asked, recalling that, despite the pause observed in teaching across the country, many schools are doing telework, distance classes (online).
Raimundo Rosa noted that institutions and students are not providing or receiving 100 percent of the contracted services. "What will eventually happen is that, when we get over this situation, the Ministry of Education takes measures, so that classes resume at an accelerated pace, to supply the forced pedagogical breaks", he said.
In February, the Executive decreed, by means of an instruction, an increase of 13 percent in the value of tuition fees and fees for private education institutions. The decision aimed to ensure the normal functioning of private educational institutions, which had been demanding an increase.
Previously, some private schools have unilaterally increased tuition. The percentage resulted from consultations made by the Government to the ministerial departments of Education and Higher Education Science Technology and Innovation, as well as to associations of private educational institutions and students.
INADEC awaits response
Contacted, the National Institute for Consumer Protection (INADEC) preferred not to comment on the matter, clarifying that the board sent a letter to the Ministry of Education and that it will not comment until the answer is obtained.