CRUCH public statement warns of "irreparable damage" if rejection of the rule postponing admission requirements for Pedagogy programs continues

The Council of Rectors of Chilean Universities (CRUCH) expresses its deep concern regarding the Senate's decision – adopted on December 17, 2024 – to reject the rule that proposed postponing the entry into force of the new admission requirements for Pedagogy programs (Law 20.129, article 27 bis).

If this situation continues, then damage will occur irreparable in the initial training of teachers, This will negatively impact early childhood, primary, and secondary education in the country. This damage will have significant effects in every region, from Arica to Punta Arenas, exacerbating the teacher shortage crisis that particularly affects remote and rural areas.

According to data from the 2024 admissions process, 311% of students in Education programs did not fill their available places at CRUCH and private universities, despite the previous year's admission criteria being maintained (50th percentile or higher, equivalent to 502 points on the PAES). With the implementation of stricter requirements for 2025, including a 60th percentile (528 points) or being in the top 20% of the NEM (National High School GPA), this figure will increase dramatically, affecting more than 280 programs nationwide.

With the current requirements, it is estimated that the number of selected students will decrease drastically from approximately 10,000 annually to around 6,500. This represents a reduction of more than 35% in the entry to these careers, directly affecting the capacity of the education system to train teachers.

In this context, we reaffirm our commitment to Chilean education and express our willingness to work toward a solution that mitigates the consequences of this decision. Therefore, we consider the following essential:

1. Request the postponement of the entry into force of the new admission requirements until 2026, allowing for a deeper analysis and a suitable transition process that does not compromise teacher training or the quality of education in the country.
2. Present a comprehensive bill, Developed in collaboration with experts, parliamentarians and actors in the education system, incorporating criteria that reflect territorial diversity and the specific needs of the Chilean education system.

As a Council, we have worked intensively in recent years to contribute to strengthening teacher training, as detailed in the report “Teaching Changes Lives,” submitted to the Ministry of Education in March of this year. This document identifies 24 critical issues in the initial and continuing training of teachers and proposes concrete actions, among them, the fflexibility in admission to teaching programs, considering the current context of teacher shortage; and the fStrengthening inclusive access programs to attract young people with a vocation, especially in vulnerable territories.

Finally, CRUCH expresses its willingness to work in a coordinated manner with the Government, Parliament and educational communities, using research and analysis capabilities to find solutions that ensure the continuity and quality of teacher training in Chile.

Education is the cornerstone of a just and equitable society. Therefore, we call upon all political, social, and educational stakeholders to address this extremely serious problem with the urgency and prudence required to avoid harming thousands of children and young people in our country.