HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMS AND THE CHARGING OF TUITION FEES: PERSPECTIVES AND PERCEPTIONS IN BRAZIL, CANADA AND CHINA

Abstract

This study aims to understand the perceptions of the charging of tuition fees in Canada and China and the perspectives of this practice in Brazil, which is a country where society requires access to quality higher education, but which faces large budgetary constraints on its public funding. To understand these questions, a qualitative exploratory multi-case study was conducted with government officials, specialists in higher education, and student leadership from all three countries, from 13 semi-structured interviews and 27 responses to an unstructured questionnaire, in order to clarify a subject still paradigmatic in the scope of Brazilian public higher education. In conclusion to this analysis, and considering the benefits provided by the Canadian and Chinese participants, it is suggested to Brazil to carry out a reflection on this subject. This reflection is necessary, especially if the need to increase the financial support to these institutions is proven and this cannot be done because of the financial availability. This initiative would aim to boost public higher education institutions through greater financial availability and democratize access and permanence, as it would have more resources to invest in assisting students from underrepresented groups participating in the system.