Following the teachers’ collective bargaining negotiations, will there be an increase in tuition fees for private schools?

The Episcopal Delegate for Education of the Archbishopric of Tucumán, Daniel Nacusseconfirmed this afternoon that the fees of private schools could be affected again following the collective bargaining agreement reached with teachers.

In THE GAZETTE CENTRALNacusse explained that salary increases for school staff are already being evaluated and detailed that the impact will begin to be seen in the bills in the coming months.

“The first situation is the increase in the basic salary for August, which was already paid on Thursday, September 5. We are looking at how to cover this new cost, and September will also have another increase that we are calculating,” he explained.

According to provisional estimates, the quotas could increase by 10% based on August salaries, and an additional 8% in September, although Nacusse stressed that “these are provisional calculations.”

Complicated situation

The situation is further complicated by the high rate of late payment of fees. “Since the beginning of the year, late payment has increased, especially in schools in the most vulnerable sectors, where it has reached 50% in some cases,” he said.

Although some parents have received help through the national government’s voucher system, she said, the lack of information about beneficiaries makes effective communication with families difficult.

Asked whether schools have alternatives to fee increases, Nacusse was clear: “We find it difficult to imagine any other option than passing these costs on to families.”

The increase in services such as electricity has also severely affected institutions, and the Episcopal delegate warned that this factor, added to the summer heat, could generate more complications.

“The increased electricity consumption during the summer will be a challenge, and we are already reviewing facilities to improve fans and air conditioning equipment,” he said.

Finally, Nacusse expressed the need for a differentiated rate for private schools that provide an educational service, since “we cannot be treated as if we were simply a company.”

Although no formal request has yet been made in this regard, private school associations are considering making a presentation to seek support from the authorities in this regard.