He Government decided to modify the budget items for universitiesafter the audits agreed to be carried out by the General Sindicature of the Nation (SIGEN). However, prior to official confirmation, there were doubts about whether it was going to be used for salaries or financing. As he knew Scopethe announcement was going to be made by the La Libertad Avanza bloc this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Delia Parodi Hall of the Chamber of Deputies of the Nation, but minutes before he was suspended.
In this way, the libertarian administration will increase the university budget, but will apply a sharp cut to the funds that are intended for the provinces.
Following this, The governors began to pressure the Governmentwho did not welcome this reduction in the midst of the budget debate, which is why The plan was blocked and led to the suspension of the press conference.
The debate around educational financing is one of the most conflictive within the 2025 Budget, not only due to university demand but also due to article 27 of the project that suspends the minimum investment percentage which corresponds to the National System of Science, Professional Technical Education and National Education.
Furthermore, this decision could go hand in hand with the Government’s position on modify the Law on Financing of Political Parties (26,215)which sets the extensions of the Permanent Party Fund. The intention of the Executive Branch is “moving towards a model like the North American one” pointing out, as happens in the United States, that It is the party adherents who contribute with their own resources to maintain the structures.
The Interuniversity Council emphasized the demand for a budget increase for 2025
After a new meeting of the National Interuniversity Council (CIN)the authorities demanded an increase in the amount planned within the Budget 2025 to be able to have “a tool that gives predictability to the management of the university system“.
The proposed floor was 6% of GDP, a goal that was only reached in 2015 and that also includes the expenses of the provinces. In addition, article 17 of the 2025 Budget project establishes a sum around the $3.8 billion to finance “operating expenses, investment and special programs of national universities“.
The CIN’s response was to demand almost double -$7.2 billion- through a statement in which the discussion that has been held in recent weeks is resumed: the Government’s calculations do not contemplate the salary increase of university workers, a claim that continues with forceful measures.
”There is no collision between university autonomy and autarky and the control competence of Sigen in the field of national universities,” they said regarding the audits. Through a statement, the Ministry of Human Capital warned that “Law No. 24,521 of Higher Education establishes that national university institutions have economic-financial autonomy that they will exercise within the regime of Law 24,156.”
In that sense, they demanded to guarantee “a salary recomposition and recovery plan and the continuity of student assistance programs, the operation of training spaces, scientific and technological production and the development of extension lines.”
Source: Ambito
