The uncertainties of gratuitousness. Approach to the financial outlays of the disadvantaged classes in public education in Paraguay

Abstract

This study shows how children who come from disadvantaged social classes depend on public funding to access public education, which does not ensure the full conditions to develop all the aspects that comprise the educational process. Thus, this study was based on a descriptive and analytical approach that involved a survey and quantitative analysis of the money disbursed by households allocated to education. In addition, an interview was implemented to survey and understand the meanings of financial outlays for families and communities. The results show that partial financing would allow families to require minimum income and financial means to ensure schooling conditions or, otherwise, children would face the risk of lagging, dropping out and resignation from the educational process. This problem which, is based on depending on financial means to exercise a right, shows the weakness of the Paraguayan State to guarantee the principle of universality.