Argentina's Bold Education Shake-Up: What's Changing?

Argentina is in the middle of a big education overhaul. President Javier Milei's government wants to change how education works in the country. The main idea is to give families more control over their kids' schooling. A new law could make homeschooling legal and let parents have a say in who runs schools. The goal is to make schools compete for students. This reform is mostly about basic education, like preschool, primary, and secondary school. It also changes how universities get money. If this law passes, it will replace the current education law from 2006. The government says Argentina's education system is in trouble. Students are doing poorly in tests like PISA, which measures skills in math, reading, and science. In Argentina, many students struggle with math and reading. The system is also seen as too bureaucratic and not innovative enough.Under the new plan, schools could team up with businesses to improve education. Different types of schooling, like online or homeschooling, would be recognized. The state's role would be to make sure everyone can access education, but families would make the big decisions. Some experts say this reform is part of bigger changes. The state would have less control, and families would have more power. There won't be one national curriculum anymore. Instead, provinces would decide what's taught, with the federal government setting basic standards. Money for education would also change. Provinces would pay for schools, and the national government would give money directly to families. Teachers would still be hired by schools, but parents would have a bigger role in evaluating them. This reform faces challenges. The government doesn't have a majority in Congress, so it needs support from other lawmakers. There might also be protests, especially about cuts to university funding.