Figure 1.--This unidentified Buenos Aires boy attended what looks like a British prep school in Argentina, although we are not yet sure about which school it was. The uniform is virtuall indistinguihavle from prep schools in Bfitain. The photograph is undated, but would probably have been taken about 1970. This may be Argentine as opposed to a expat (foreign) boy. We are not sure about the Argentine/foreign mix at the school. An Argentine reader writes, "The picture does not necessarily represent a boy from a British private school in Argentina. Many other - even public school in Argentina - imitated the style. That trend was also visible in school children with the crest of the local public school on the pocket of the lab coat/smock. t shoes and hosiery, as well clean white shirt and tie, was a must, as illustrated in your post."

We are not sure when the first private schools in the modern sence appeared in Argetina. British schools seem particularly influential in the private sector. We note private Catholic schools. In fact, most of the private schools in Argentina are schools with religious affiliation, mostly Catholic. There is, however, no parochial system. A parochial system is private or semi-private as the schools may receive some state funds, but they are low cost because a religious group supports the school meaning that even working-class fmilies can send their children o these schools. 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. Most Argentine private schools are run by or associated with the Catholic Church. We are not sure precisely how many. Children are mostly sent to private schools because their parents consider that the public schools are inadequate. There are concerns with both discipline and academic seandards. Teachers in both have the same qualifications but the buildings and facilities aren't comparable, there are not enough computers, and the syllabuses are not up-dated. Buenos Aires has the largest network of private schools, but there are also private schools in the provinces. There are private schools which Spanish only curriculum , but quite a few with bilingual programs that accomodae foreign as well as Argentine students. Bilingual schools normally have a longer day than Spanish only schools. Often the bilingual schools split the day between one language in the morning classes and the other language in the afternoon. The most common second language is English. Quite a few wealthy Argentines send their children to private bilingual schools so they can learn English or other European language. As a result many schools have mostly Argentine students while others are more focused on foreign students and it is Spanish that is taught as the second language. In the past there were only public universities but at present there are also some private universities that have high standards. We note British style uniforms and quite a number of private schools. We do not know, however, just how extensive the British-style uniforms were worn at Argentine private schools.

Importance

The private school system is very important in Argentina. Anout 25-30 percent of children are educated in private schools. And the percentage appears to be increasing. [Del Carril] This seems primarily because of the economic problems experienced by Argentina do to socialist politicans like the Perons and Kirchners who have pursued dusaterous policies. The Government simoly has not had the money to run a quality public school system. This of course is a problem throughout Latin America, but Argentina has a more modern economy than most countries in the region and at one point hwas on the brunk of becoming a modern insustrailized country. One journlist identifies the teachers' unions as a problem, resisting efforts to evaluate teachers. [Del Carril]

Types

We are not sure when the first private schools in the modern sence appeared in Argetina. British schools seem particularly influential in the private sector. We note private Catholic schools. In fact, most of the private schools in Argentina are schools with religious affiliation, mostly Catholic. One estimate suggests that about 65 percent of all private schools are Catholic. There is, however, no parochial system. A parochial system is private or semi-private as the schools may receive some state funds, but they are low cost because a religious group supports the school meaning that even working-class fmilies can send their children o these schools. Most Argentine private schools are run by or associated with the Catholic Church. We are not sure precisely how many. These schools are mostly for Argentine children. There are a few schools for foreigners living in Argenuna. These schools are known as internatiomal schools. There are also a number of international schools in Argentina, particularly in larger cities such as Buenos Aires and Cordobas. These follow an international curriculum, mostly the British, American or International Baccalaureate (IB), but there are also a few smaller schools that follow German, Japanese and French curricula.

Curriculum

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.

Parental Goals

Children are mostly sent to private schools because their parents consider that the public schools are inadequate. There are concerns with both discipline and academic standards. [Del Carril] Teachers in both have the same qualifications, but the buildings and facilities aren't comparable, there are not enough computers, and the syllabuses are not up-dated.

Location

Buenos Aires as in so many ways dominated argentuna and this includes education. Buenos Aires has the largest network of private schools, but there are also private schools in the provinces.

Home Schooling

Argentine citizens and foreign residents are not allowed to home school their children. It is illegal. Federal law requires that all children have to attend school.

Language

There are private schools which Spanish only curriculum , but quite a few with bilingual programs that accomodae foreign as well as Argentine students. Bilingual schools normally have a longer day than Spanish only schools. Some of these schools have programs that extend as late as 7:00 pm. Often the bilingual schools split the day between one language in the morning classes and the other language in the afternoon. The most common second language is English. Quite a few wealthy Argentines send their children to private bilingual schools so they can learn English or other European language. As a result many schools have mostly Argentine students while others are more focused on foreign students and it is Spanish that is taught as the second language. English was officially made the second language (1996). This basically recognizes the extent to which English has become an international language. Argentine schools must teach English for at least 2 hours per week, both state and private schools. We are not sure how far this reached in terms of grade level.

Uniforms

Argentine state schools for the most part do not have uniforms. Primary children wear white smocks. Many private schools o have uniforms. We note British style uniforms and quite a number of private schools. We do not know, however, just how extensive the British-style uniforms were worn at Argentine private schools.

Universities

Sources

Del Carril, Santiago. "Parents increasingly turn to private schools: Almost two-thirds of the country’s provinces have witnessed an increase in private school enrollment," BuenosAiresHerald.com (January 11, 2016).

Created: 2:01 AM 5/2/2013
Last updated: 3:58 AM 3/29/2017