Basque charter schools break the law: they charge illegal fees to families

Unauthorized charges to families in Basque educational institutions

Most subsidized schools in the Basque Country They engage in a practice prohibited by current legislation, the collection of fees from families. This fact emerges from the study "The cost of access to charter schools in Spain, quantifying the fees and identifying their causes." According to this report, approximately 90% of These schools in the Basque Country charge an average of almost 100 euros per month, which adds up to nearly a thousand euros per year for each family.

Impact of fees on Basque concerted education

This charge not only goes against state regulations that expressly prohibit these practices in schools that receive public funding, but also raises serious questions about the management of funds at these institutions. It is even more surprising when considering that the Basque concerted network is the most benefited in terms of financing in all of Spain.. Furthermore, 85% of these centers end the year with a surplus, which adds layers of complexity to the matter. The autonomous community of the Basque Country is the one that invests the most in education at the national level, which should be reflected in greater transparency and adequate distribution of resources.

The destination of extra income in charter schools

In addition, The curious thing is that, despite the robust financing, many of these schools claim that they need this additional income to cover expenses not financed by the government, such as hiring additional staff (psychologists, therapists). This opens a debate about the adequacy of public funds and whether they are really being used to improve educational quality or simply to inflate school budgets.

Social and legal impact of fees in charter schools

Undoubtedly, This panorama not only affects the economy of the families involved, but also calls into question the equity and justice of the concerted educational system. Families seeking quality education for their children encounter economic barriers that should not exist, as established by law.

Ultimately, While charter schools in the Basque Country continue to benefit from significant public funds, fee collection practices highlight a deep problem in the management of these resources. This situation not only contradicts legal guidelines, but also challenges the principles of equity and transparency that should govern publicly funded education. As citizens of Bilbao and all of Bizkaia, it is crucial to question and demand clarity in the use of these funds, to ensure that education is not only accessible to all, but also meets the standards of justice and equity that our communities deserve.