Municipalities are prohibited from building new schools

Imagen: El Universo

Since yesterday, the Constitution recognizes the exclusive authority of the central government over education policies. Municipalities may not, on their own, start new projects.

The Ministry of Education hastened to regulate this provision with an agreement. And a clarification was made: the Government power has to do with planning, construction and maintenance of physical infrastructure as well as educational equipment.

Other programs -such as the delivery of tablets and scholarships to outstanding students made by the Municipality of Guayaquil, for example- will not be affected. Minister Augusto Espinosa, said that this is not regulated by the amendment to the Constitution.

The Government shall set the limits of the other competences. Municipalities that wish to improve educational infrastructure shall have the approval of the Ministry. And for this, they will have to subscribe specific agreements that will be in harmony with the government planning.

Espinoza said that the government has the necessary studies for the construction of new educational units of the millennium and for the reconditioning of several educational institutions. The educational equipment that is needed has been identified, he said.

Thus, if a municipality decides to invest in school infrastructure it shall be based on the studies of the Ministry. “

Source: http://expreso.ec/expreso/plantillas/nota.aspx?idart=8761163&idcat=38269&tipo=2