EDUCATIONAL REFORMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON ACCESS TO PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION IN ECUADOR

Abstract

The issue of access to higher education in Ecuador has been the subject of considerable criticism and debate in recent years. The present research is aimed at identifying the perspective of applicants in the face of the last two access reforms adopted by the central government. To this end, a methodological route was applied that began with a documentary analysis and a transversal approach. Due to its nature, the research is mixed qualitative-quantitative, descriptive and explanatory. The principal findings indicate that the gross enrolment rate, or the extent of access to higher education, is relatively low, with figures ranging between 30% and 38%. At the time of the research, at least 37% of respondents had not succeeded in accessing higher education, despite having attempted it on more than three occasions. Among those who were excluded, 39% did not meet the minimum grade requirement, while 28% did achieve the minimum grade but were unable to access higher education due to a lack of available places.