Between January and June 2024, Bogotá has seen the closure of 26 private educational institutions, According to information provided by the District Education Secretariat, this phenomenon is not isolated, but is part of a national trend in which, according to the Single Directory of Educational Establishments, 769 private schools have closed in the last two years.
Closing an educational institution in Bogotá is a regulated process that seeks to mitigate the impact on the educational community. According to Decree 1075 of 2015, schools must comply with two key requirements before closing their doors. First, they must inform the educational community and the District Education Secretariat at least six months in advance. Second, they must deliver the students’ academic records to the Secretariat so that it can issue the corresponding certificates.
Failure to comply with these requirements may trigger disciplinary proceedings, in addition to putting the educational continuity of students at risk, who could be left without access to stable education if the closure is not managed appropriately.
Although schools are not required to specify the exact reasons for their closure, economic factors appear to play a major role. Some of these factors may be related to demographic changes, administrative problems or the dissolution of companies that manage these institutions. In Bogotá, the decline in the birth rate has influenced educational demand. Between 2008 and 2021, according to figures known by , births in the city fell from 116,765 to 66,567, which has reduced the number of enrolments in private and public schools.
Given this situation, the District Education Secretariat (SED) is working to prevent more private schools from closing their doors. Through administrative and pedagogical strengthening programs, as well as the creation of collaboration networks between institutions, the SED seeks to improve the quality of educational services and promote constant dialogue with private schools.
Consequences of school closures
The closure of private schools has a direct impact on students, who must be relocated to other institutions to ensure the continuity of their education. The Ministry of Education is in charge of this process and ensures that certificates and diplomas issued by closed schools remain valid.
Nationwide, the closure of private schools is becoming a growing concern. With over 769 private institutions closed in the last two years, the education sector is undergoing a significant transformation. This phenomenon raises questions about the sustainability of private education and its ability to adapt to the demographic and economic changes facing the country.
The future of private education in Colombia is constantly changing and educational authorities must continue to implement measures to minimize the impact on affected communities and ensure continued access to quality education.
