indecopi reported that the Special Monitoring Center (CEMI) received 128 citizen reports for improper charges from private educational institutions during 2022.
He specified that the most reported private schools were: Innova Schools, Saco Oliveros, IE Señor de Luren, Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo in Bellavistaamong others.
Likewise, the governing body indicated that the complaints are related to charges for extraordinary fees (93 reports, 72.7%), collection of pensions despite the fact that no type of educational service was provided (14 reports, 10.9%), and collection of pensions. advanced (12 reports, 9.4%).
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Of the total collections of extraordinary fees (93 reports), the majority are linked to the sale of bingos (12 reports, 12.9%), sale of meal cards (10 reports, 10.8%), and fees for day activities. holidays (9 reports, 9.7%).
Charges allowed for private schools
The Directorate of the National Consumer Protection Authority of Indecopi recalled that the private schools they are only allowed to collect the entrance fee once and it must not be greater than the amount of a monthly pension.
As part of its ‘Back to school’ campaign, Indecopi maintained that the pensions are paid monthly and that the requirement of advance payment is prohibited.
In the event that it is desired to withdraw the student from the educational institution, the entrance fee is refundable in proportion to the time the student remains in the study center, as indicated in the Law on Private Educational Centers, Law No. ° 26549 and its regulations.
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He pointed out that any charge other than those indicated, such as, for example, celebrations for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, school anniversary or activities such as bingo, raffles, among others, are prohibited.
In this sense, Indecopi mentioned that parents and citizens in general have the virtual guide at their disposal. ‘Check your school’through which all relevant information on educational services is delivered in order to make the best consumer decisions.
How to file a claim?
Indecopi indicated that to report an irregular fact or any affectation to their rights as consumers, even anonymously, parents can write to the email: colegios@indecopi.gob.pe.
Likewise, they can present a claim and promote a direct solution with the school through the following service channels:
- Mail: sacreclamo@indecopi.gob.pe
- Platform ‘Virtual Claim’: https://enlinea.indecopi.gob.pe/reclamavirtual/
- Telephone lines 224-7777 (Lima) and 0800-4-4040 (provinces)
In case an irregular fact is observed, it can be reported through the Reporting Form ‘Citizen Surveillance’.
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The four private schools with the most complaints about improper charges