Overview
- In its tenth annual study released today, CICAE reports that 83% of concertado schools charge a base educational fee and that payment is mandatory in 69% of cases.
- A representative sample in the Madrid region found 100% of the 101 visited schools charging a base fee, with total annual costs reaching about €5,700 per pupil when other services are included.
- Non-payment leads to exclusionary practices for 11% of students nationwide and 29% in Madrid, including later start times, early exits, separate classrooms, or denial of key activities.
- Fees vary by ownership: mercantile-run schools average €114 per month versus €74.43 in religious congregations, and corporate forms show higher rates of mandatory charges, up to 88% in public limited companies.
- CICAE cites transparency failures despite a 2023 disclosure rule, noting many high-fee schools do not publish full pricing or rename charges and place paid activities within school hours to sidestep oversight.