Figure 1.--This Buenos Aires private school in the early 1970s had a uniform just like a British preparatory school. The boys wear a blue blazer uniform. The only diference we note from a British prep school is that none of the boys wear school sandals.

There are state (free) schools and private (fee p[aying) schools. We do not have much information on the state schools at this time. Argentina's economic problems have certainly affected the state school system. We do not have much information on uniforms at these schools. Uniforms were not commonly required in state schools, but many required the children wear white smocks. Many private schools are run by or assovciated woth the Catholic Church. Children are often sent to private schools because their parents consider that the public schools are inadequate. There are concerns with both disciplin and academiv syandards. Teachers in both have the same qualifications but the buildings aren't comfortable, there are not enough computers and the syllabuses are not up-dated. In the past there only public universities but at present there are also some private universities that are really good. We note British style uniforms and quite a number of privare schools.

State Schools

We do not have much information on the state schools at this time. Argentina's economic problems have certainly affected the state school system. We do not have much information on uniforms at these schools. Uniforms were not commonly required in state schools, but many required the children wear white smocks. An Argentine creader tells us, "White smocks were the uniform of all public schools. Sometimes, on a cold day, some boys or girls will wear a jacket or overcoat on top of it. Shiny shoes and knee socks were part of the uniform. Kids from humble origins will were snickers or espadrilles (canvas shoes) especially in rural areas."

Private Schools

We do not yet have detailed information on Argentine private schools. We have begun to collect some limited information. Perhaps the most interesting aspect is of Argentine private schools is that there is not parochial school system. This situation is deeply rooted in Argentine political and cultural history. The first schools were founded by the Catholic church during the Spanish colonial peiod. Catholocism was the only religion that the Spanish royal goverment permitted in the colonies. As the Royal Government did not found schools, the Church as in Spain itself was responsible for education. This situation was part of the struggle for independence, which pitted conservative Cathplic forces aginst liberal secular forces. Education was not a priority in ghe Agentine Republic after independence (1816). This was a major difference with Prorestant North America where public education was important from the firstyears of settlement. The Church continued to play an important role in education after independence. The Government did not issue an education plan for several decdes. President Domingo Sarmiento (1868-74) took a special interest in education. He attempted to attract trained European educators. Sarmiento also initiated a program to build schools and public libraries. As a result, school enrollment doubled. Teacher's Day (September 11) commemorates his death. These efforts were followed by Law 1420 of Common Education, the central national public eduction act. The administration of President Julio Roca mandated universal, compulsory, free and secular education (1884). This firmly established the secular basis of Argentine public schools. This prevented the development of a parochial system. While Catholic schools were not banned outright, ant such schools were prohibited from issuing official degrees directly, but only through a public university, This put them at a considerable disadvantage. This adversely affected the relations between the Argentine State and the Catholic Church. The local clergy complained and a serious diplomatic problem developed with the Holy See through the Papal Nuncio. We are not sure when the first private schools in the modern sence first appeared in Argetina. British schools seem particularly inflential in th private sector. We note some provate Catholic schools, but not a parochial system. The Argentine Government has a required school curriculum for the public schools and private schools must followed it as well. And the private schools must be accredited.

Created: May 11, 2004
Last updated: 8:41 PM 5/1/2013