The Need for Reform in El Salvador's Higher Education System

By Jose Hernan Serpas Comas, Professor of Business Ethics at American College

November, 2024

El Salvador has experienced significant social, political, economic, and cultural changes in the past five years. However, there is one area that has yet to undergo meaningful reform: higher education policy. One of the major changes that El Salvador has resisted is the adoption of a Higher Education Credit System. Instead, the country continues to rely on the outdated Valuative Unit System (Unidad Valorativa). This system assigns a numerical value to each course that students take at the university level, reflecting the time and effort required to pass the course. Although the Valuative Unit System has been in use since 1989, it has not been updated to align with international standards, which has impeded the advancement of higher education in the country.

The consequences of this outdated system are evident in reports like the Higher Education Assessment and Recommendations by USAID. The report paints a bleak picture of Salvadoran higher education, highlighting student profile issues, faculty development, and curriculum. It underscores how the Valuative Unit System has stifled progress in a sector crucial to the nation's development.

The lack of a credit system has led to several challenges for Salvadoran higher education. One of the most significant consequences is that Salvadoran students have limited access to international programs. Students face significant challenges in transferring credits between institutions, both domestically and internationally, due to the absence of a standardized credit system. This lack of flexibility has restricted the internationalization of Salvadoran universities, limiting their capacity to collaborate with foreign institutions and attract international students.

Moreover, the rigid structure of the Valuative Unit System restricts the ability to offer flexible academic pathways. Students are constrained by an outdated approach to course design that does not allow for the integration of interdisciplinary learning or innovative educational methods. As a result, lifelong learning programs and non-traditional forms of education are not recognized as equivalent to formal university courses, which further little access to educational opportunities.

?The lack of innovation and research within Salvadoran universities can also be traced back to the antiquated system. Without the ability to adapt to global academic trends, institutions are unable to foster a research-driven environment or collaborate on cutting-edge projects with international peers. This stagnation is detrimental to both the academic community and the broader socio-economic development of the country.

Despite these challenges, there is hope for reform. The current Salvadoran government has made some progress by proposing reforms to higher education policies, although the Asamblea Legislativa has yet to pass the reform due to undisclosed reasons. One of the most promising changes would be the adoption of a credit system for higher education. Such a system would align El Salvador’s educational standards with those of other countries that are leaders in higher education. The benefits of this shift are clear: better international alignment, greater mobility for students, access to international grants, more transfer options for students, and increased flexibility in course offerings.

Looking at other countries that have successfully adopted the credit system offers valuable insights. Brazil, Mexico, India, and Thailand are examples of nations that have effectively transitioned to the credit system, each adapting it to their unique needs. A case closer to home is Costa Rica, which adopted the credit system and customized it for its own higher education landscape. These examples show that El Salvador can adopt a similar system that addresses its challenges while benefiting from the global trends in higher education.

The need for a credit system in El Salvador’s higher education is urgent. The current Valuative Unit System is no longer adequate for a country striving to improve its global standing and provide its students with better opportunities for success. By adopting a more modern and flexible credit system, El Salvador can unlock its educational potential, improve international cooperation, and better prepare its students for the demands of an interconnected world. It’s time for the Salvadoran government to prioritize higher education reform and embrace the changes necessary for future progress.