Privatization of higher education in ibero-america: concepts, forms, and consequences

Abstract

This article aims to analyze certain forms of privatization of higher education currently underway in Ibero-America, as well as some of their implications. The research is grounded in a historical-critical perspective, employing bibliographic review and analysis of educational policy documents as data collection procedures. The bibliographic review focuses on scholarly production concerning the reform of public administration and educational policy, and the privatization of education. The documentary analysis emphasized data on higher education in the Ibero-American region, contained in the reports of Red Indices (2021 and 2022) and Cinda (2024). The privatization of higher education has been implemented in the countries of the Ibero-American region through operating concessions to the private sector, replacement of the existing regulatory framework, outsourcing of third parties, establishment of public-private partnerships, as well as altering the academic culture. Such processes have reduced state responsibilities and modified their practices, including with regard to higher education funding, where public investment has been reduced, competition and performance are emphasized, in addition to subsidizing the private sector. Deregulation has enabled changes in higher education, implying institutional diversification and the expansion of student access, particularly through distance education, with implications for educational quality and the precarization of teaching work. Finally, it is emphasized that outsourcing processes and public-private partnerships, combined with the promotion of the logic of performativity, based on evaluative processes and competition for positions in educational rankings, have altered the academic culture, in line with market demands.