Acceso a la educación superior para personas indígenas en el cantón Coca-Orellana: ¿Un derecho o un privilegio?

Abstract

In Ecuador, access to higher education is a constitutionally guaranteed right; however, for students from the Kichwa, Shuar, and Huaorani nationalities of the Coca-Orellana canton, this right is far from a reality. This study analyzed the political, economic, geographic, cultural, academic, and psychosocial barriers, as well as the institutional and representational factors that influence access to higher education. Methodologically, a qualitative study was conducted using a multiple case study design. The unit of analysis comprised students from the "Mushuk Ayllu" and "San Francisco de Asís" Intercultural Bilingual Community Educational Units. A survey was applied to 15 self-identified indigenous students, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 2 teachers and 2 authorities, and documentary analysis of public policies was carried out. The findings show that barriers do not operate in isolation but are articulated into a system of exclusion. Structural poverty (53% indigenous poverty rate), the absence of a public higher education institution in the province, lack of knowledge about scholarships (73% of students) and admission processes (100%), together with the lack of curricular relevance of entrance exams with respect to the MOSEIB model, and limited family support, create a scenario where the right becomes a privilege for a few. It is concluded that policies, although guaranteeing rights, do not materialize in the Amazonian territory, perpetuating historical inequalities. Affirmative actions with a territorial approach and curricular adaptation are required.