PROPHE Summary:
Argentina's private sector is approaching a quarter of a million enrollments,
having surged 47% in the last ten years. Moreover, the sector graduates
a much higher percentage of its students than does the public sector.
The news piece in La Nacion reports on a report underwritten by the
country's Council of Rectors of private universities. Among its data
facts on students: concentration in urban areas, 80% from higher income
groups (but also 62% for the public universities), 60% study social
areas, more than 40% work, more than 50% enrolled non-selectively. More
than 90% of the sector's income is from tuition, with an average of
$4930 annually, 4% is from donations. Student politics is mostly absent.
Research is rare (outside a few elite institutions) but now public funds
are being made available. No single institution accounts for as much
as 10% of the sector.
For the full story, see LA NACION Dec 10 2007 "Crecieron
un 47% en 10 anos las universidades privada De 100 alumnos egresan 33,
casi el doble que en las estataless"by Raquel San Marti
http://buscador.lanacion.com.ar/Nota.asp?nota_id=969658&high=Crecieron%2047%2010%20a%
F1os%20universidades%20privadas
PROPHE Observation:
All the chief characteristics in the report's data have been known
for a long time. Moreover, they follow patterns established for Latin
America overall, and to some extent beyond. However, the breadth and
specificity of the data are important additions and would be nice to
see in more countries. The typical characteristics of private institutions
also follow typical contrasts (e.g., tuition) and similarities (e.g.,
students working) with the public sector.
