In a press conference held on the morning of November 25, the Minister of Education, Daniel Rojas, and the president of Icetex, Patricia Abadía, informed Colombians that measures have been adopted to guarantee the continuity of transfers intended for training credits of entity.
Both officials underlined their commitment to access to higher education and reiterated that resources will be available to beneficiaries without interruption.
During the press conference, the Minister of Education, Daniel Rojas, asked private universities to adjust their academic calendar while awaiting the Icetex disbursements corresponding to 2024. Currently, 432 billion pesos remain outstanding, but the government has assured that fifty billion pesos will be delivered during this month to begin covering these commitments.
“Well, in front of the media and the entire country, I underline the commitment to ask the Ministry of Finance for the timely transfer of these resources, but I also ask private universities to help us and that, together, we give a solid response to students, adapting also their calendars to this reprogramming. Because, perhaps, the government has honored its commitments and will continue to do so”, commented the Minister of Education in the press conference held on the subject with the president of Icetex.
Minister Rojas Medellín denied claims that Icetex had not requested transfers, saying they were made on time and offering to hand over documents confirming this. Furthermore, he reported that 6.5 billion will be required for the higher education budget in 2025.
The president of Icetex, Patricia Abadía, commented on the financial situation of the institute, stating that it is secure from an economic point of view, since it has obtained the necessary funds for 2025, regarding the renewal of non-subsidized lines.
Minister Rojas underlined that Icetex is not in a deteriorating situation nor on the path towards such deterioration. He indicated that a transformation process is being implemented to change the institution’s banking approach, with the aim of converting educational credit into a more socially oriented one. As for the allegations of a 400 billion peso debt owed to private universities, Rojas Medellín denied them, stating that the Ministry has fulfilled its commitments.
Minister Rojas underlined that the Icetex situation is not in a deteriorating situation nor on the way to worsening – credit ColpresaOn the other hand, the national government official also referred to the tax reform proposed by the national government and which is being developed by the Congress of the Republic. “If the funding law is not approved, we will have budget concerns for both public universities and @ICETEX educational credits,” Rojas explained.
The minister also expressed his intention to reduce students’ dependence on debt to access higher education. Its goal is to ensure that access to higher education is guaranteed as a right, thus enabling students to achieve their studies without compromising their financial stability.
Regarding the entity, he explained that “we are working on an entity transformation exercise, understanding that what this government is looking for is to change the banking logic of Icetex and transform the educational credit into a much more social credit” .
Patricia Abadía, the president of the organization, confirmed that Icetex cannot currently open the credit tender for 2025. However, she assured that if the situation were to change, the organization will act immediately to ensure that young people can access the said tender . He also guaranteed that there are resources for the renewals of the credit line for next year.
Patricia Abadía, the responsible president of the institution, confirmed that Icetex currently cannot open the request for credits for 2025 – Icetex CreditFurthermore, the official revealed a deficit of more than 400,000 million dollars in resources for the period 2024, of which 145,000 million correspond to debts to universities. In this regard, he announced that a transfer of 51 billion dollars will be made this week to partially alleviate the deficit.
How will the proposed funding law impact higher education institutions in Colombia?
Time.news Interview: Ensuring Higher Education Accessibility in Colombia
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re delving into an important topic concerning higher education in Colombia. With us is Minister of Education Daniel Rojas. Thank you for joining us, Minister Rojas.
Minister Rojas: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here and discuss such a crucial issue.
Editor: Minister, during your recent press conference, you mentioned that the government plans to secure 6.5 billion pesos for higher education by 2025. Why is this funding critical at this juncture?
Minister Rojas: Access to higher education should be a right for all Colombians. The funding we are seeking is essential to ensure that the financial resources for student credits through Icetex remain consistent and uninterrupted. We want to eliminate barriers that prevent students from pursuing their academic goals.
Editor: You also indicated that there are current outstanding obligations of 432 billion pesos. How do you plan to address this shortfall in the meantime?
Minister Rojas: First, we are ensuring that 50 billion pesos will be disbursed this month to initiate coverage of these commitments. We have also reached out to private universities, asking them to adjust their academic calendars to accommodate these disbursements. Collaboration is crucial during these challenging times.
Editor: It seems there’s been some controversy surrounding Icetex and alleged debts owed to private universities. Can you clarify the current financial situation of Icetex?
Minister Rojas: Absolutely. I want to reassure everyone that Icetex is financially secure. Claims of a 400 billion peso debt to private universities are unfounded. We have fulfilled our obligations, and I can provide documentation to support this. Our goal is to transform Icetex into a financially responsible entity that prioritizes social equity in educational credit.
Editor: That’s good to hear. Social impact is a key element of your plans. How do you envision changing the current banking approach of Icetex?
Minister Rojas: We are working on significant transformations aimed at making educational credit more socially oriented. This means focusing on reducing students’ dependency on debt. Many students are burdened by financial stress, which can hinder their education. Our aim is to provide support that enables them to pursue their studies without compromising their financial stability.
Editor: You also referenced the tax reform being developed by Congress. How might this impact your budget for higher education?
Minister Rojas: The proposed funding law is vital. If it is not approved, we face serious budgetary concerns that could affect both public universities and the resources for Icetex educational credits. It is imperative that we secure the necessary support to maintain and enhance educational access in Colombia.
Editor: As the Minister of Education, what long-term vision do you have for the educational landscape in Colombia?
Minister Rojas: My vision is rooted in the belief that education is a fundamental human right. We intend to create a system where all students can access higher education without the preoccupation of debt. By transforming institutions like Icetex and ensuring stable funding, we’re paving the way for a more equitable future, where every Colombian can achieve their educational aspirations.
Editor: Thank you, Minister Rojas. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate the complexities of higher education funding in Colombia. We appreciate your commitment to ensuring accessibility and your efforts to foster a more inclusive educational environment.
Minister Rojas: Thank you! It’s a pleasure to discuss these important matters. Together, we can make a significant difference for students across Colombia.
Editor: Stay tuned for more updates on this topic and others affecting our educational system. Thank you for joining us today!
