History of Education in Argentina

Argentina's education system, known as the Latin American docta, has a rich and complex history. While there were educational institutions prior to the 1800s, the system began to formalize during the 19th century. By the 1800s, secondary and normal (teacher-training) schools were established in provincial capitals, although attendance was low. The first national law, Law 1420 of Common Education, was passed in 1884, establishing free, compulsory, and secular primary education. This period also saw the development of secondary education with the creation of "national high schools" designed to prepare the elite for university.

The early 1900s saw continued expansion and reform. Low levels of education in 1900 were linked to poor economic performance in the following decades. The government focused on expanding access to education and improving literacy rates.

The 1990s brought significant restructuring with the decentralization of education to the provinces and a new structure for secondary education. This period saw the introduction of the Polimodal system, which offered students different academic and vocational orientations within upper secondary education. The Polimodal system became obligatory in 2006. It lasted three years and catered to students aged 15 to 17. The Polimodal system was later replaced.

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Argentina has continued to grapple with challenges in its education system, including dropout rates, teacher training, and funding. Despite these challenges, the country has made significant strides in expanding access to education and improving literacy rates.