In Quito, Ecuador, parent committees from municipal educational institutions are raising alarms about a proposed reform to the Organic Code of Territorial Organization, Autonomy, and Decentralization (Cootad) currently being fast-tracked in the National Assembly. The urgency of the legislation has heightened anxieties, particularly as it may affect the educational landscape for approximately 27,000 students and 1,400 teachers within the district. The proposed law contains seven articles and aims to address fiscal sustainability and rational spending in public services.

The reform includes a stipulation that at least 70% of budgets and investments should be allocated towards the maintenance and replacement of infrastructure, with only 30% designated for ongoing operational expenses. This could lead to reduced funding for educational programs, staff salaries, and other critical resources in schools. Parents are particularly concerned about the implications of these budgetary constraints on the quality of education their children receive in municipal institutions.

The municipality has circulated a communication emphasizing the potential impacts of these changes, recognizing the importance of adequate funding for educational services. Parent committees fear this shift in budget priorities could hinder the overall educational experience and outcomes for students, prompting demands for a re-evaluation of the proposed legislation before it is enacted, to ensure that it does not compromise the educational standards of municipal schools in Quito.