The Spanish government, led by President Pedro Sánchez, has announced plans to introduce a law aimed at tightening the criteria for establishing new private universities across the country.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to uphold the integrity and reputation of both public and private educational institutions.

President Sánchez characterized some private universities as 'chiringuitos educativos,' or educational schemes that fail to meet acceptable standards, emphasizing the government's commitment to educational excellence.

During an event titled 'In Defense of a Quality University, Key to Social Mobility,' Sánchez outlined the intentions behind the proposed legislation, stating that it seeks to combat practices that undermine the prestige of Spanish universities.

He asserted that a university should not function merely as a 'machine for dispensing degrees' and stressed the importance of compliance with established quality benchmarks.

To enforce these quality standards, the new law will introduce several critical requirements for the creation, recognition, and authorization of both public and private universities.

A pivotal feature of the proposal involves a mandatory evaluative report from the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA) or equivalent autonomous regional agencies.

This evaluative report will be a binding prerequisite for the establishment of new universities, ensuring rigorous oversight and independent verification of compliance with educational standards.

Additionally, the proposal stipulates that newly founded universities must achieve a minimum enrollment of 4,500 students within their first five operational years.

This criterion is designed to ensure that new institutions have a substantial student body, contributing to their viability and sustainability.

The legislation further mandates that the institutions responsible for creating new universities demonstrate economic solidity and transparency.

Moreover, it requires that they offer at least 10% of their housing capacity as university accommodation to facilitate student access to housing.

To enhance research capabilities, the government’s proposal includes provisions for online universities to be recognized at the national level, given their broader scope of operation across Spain.

Any new online educational institution would require authorization from the national legislature to increase oversight and assure academic quality for students throughout the country.

Sánchez also announced plans to double the issuance of degrees at the public university UNED, aiming to strengthen its competitive position relative to private counterparts.

This announcement reflects the government's commitment to enhancing public higher education amidst concerns over the proliferation of private institutions.

The resolutions discussed reflect ongoing debates about the quality and accessibility of higher education in Spain, where both public and private universities play a critical role in shaping the educational landscape.