Since the start of the school year on February 23, public school principals across Paraguay have reported that the Ministry of Education and Sciences (MEC) has yet to transfer the gratuity funds intended for basic supplies such as cleaning products, office supplies, chalk, and markers. The delay, considered unprecedented under the government of Santiago Peña, compromises the daily maintenance of schools.
Elvio David Argüello, principal of Don Isaac Ortiz Basic School No. 1334 in Zanja Pytã, Amambay department, says the disbursement has never taken this long. “Imagine having to maintain a restroom used by at least 200 people every day. We have no resources to clean or maintain the restrooms,” he laments. The school serves students who travel up to 40 kilometers to study.
Lilian Recalde, principal of Doctor José Antequera y Castro National College in the Carlos Antonio López neighborhood of Asunción, stresses that schools should not start classes without basic supplies. “Schools open on February 10, two weeks before classes begin, and we should have had the funds since then,” she says. Without the money, principals use their own resources or negotiate installment payments with suppliers.
Miguel Marecos, president of the National Union of Principals (Sinadi), reports that two weeks ago he met with Education Minister Luis Ramírez, who promised to coordinate with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to clarify the delay. So far, there has been no response. Last week, the Single Student Registry (RUE) was enabled so principals could sign gratuity contracts, but payments may take up to 15 days or more. Marecos threatens to protest in front of the MEF if there is no solution next week.
Resolution No. 333, signed by Luis Ramírez in 2025, sets amounts by level and enrollment: for the Initial level, fixed amounts from G. 500,000 to G. 1,000,000; for the first and second cycles, G. 24,700 per enrolled student; for the third cycle, G. 25,000 per student; for Scientific Baccalaureate, G. 65,000 per student; and for Technical Baccalaureates, amounts ranging from G. 150,000 to G. 250,000 per student. Transfers are made in up to two annual installments.
Principals report that the amounts are insufficient and that the delay worsens the situation, especially in rural areas, where turning to parents is difficult due to economic needs. The gratuity also covers services such as internet, essential for managing the RUE and the Hambre Cero program.