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| Secondary and Higher Education in Argentina | |||||||||||||||||
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SECONDARY EDUCATION Upon completion of primary schools students may decide to enter secondary academic, commercial, technical, normal or art schools. The Secretariat of State for Culture and Education is in charge of secondary education. Provinces and municipalities are responsible for establishing secondary schools and college. Academic Schools · Purpose is to serve as academic and college preparatory schools for boys but there is also a school for girls called the liceo de senoritas. · Composed of a five year cycle with a three year basic core and a two year advanced core. · Students receive the degree known as the bachillerato which allows them entrance into any university facility. · Students take classes such as Spanish, English or French, mathematics, drawing, music, chemistry, biology and principles of democracy. Commercial Schools · Were first established in 1891 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. · They are federally funded. · Offer day and evening programs. · Include courses such as typewriting, bookkeeping, legal practices, shorthand, penmanship, legislation, political economy and commercial law. · Upon completion of the basic cycle students are awarded the diploma of bookkeeper or tenedor de- libros . Those who complete both cycles are awarded the perito mercantil or business expert diploma and are eligible for the faculty of economic sciences in the universities. Technical Schools · Is composed of two three year cycles. · Students take a variety of classes including Spanish, history, geography, physics, chemistry, electricity, physical education and industrial design. · Students receive a certificate of tecnico or specialist which allows them entrance into a trade in industry. · Advances students may receive diplomas in aeronautics, agriculture, railroading, automotive engineering, mining and communications. These diplomas may grant them entrance into faculties of architecture, technology, engineering or exact science. | |||||||||||||||||
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HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education is available in universities as well as non-university institutions. There are approximately 25 national universities and 20 private universities. Most universities go by the Napoleonic Model of teaching but there are a few Spanish colonial elements that have survived. One, for example, would be the organizing of universities by faculties instead of departments and the qualifying examinations for full time professors. Educational Trends Courses of study tend to be longer in Argentina than in most North American schools with many lasting as long as six years. Master's degrees do not exist but doctorates are offered in many fields of study. A majority of students work and study which causes them to take an additional year or two to receive their degree. Fewer that half of the students enrolled have full time status and many have attended school for four years without passing a single test. A 1986 census showed that males outnumbered females at the university level by a margin of 7.6 percent. Males counted for 53.8 percent and females totaled 46.2 percent. Problems in Higher Education 1. Soaring enrollments and unplanned growth. 2. Limited facilities. 3. Poorly mapped out buildings. 4. Not enough dormitory space. 5. Limited recreational facilities. Source: "International Higher Education" Vol. #2, Phillip G. Altback (editor), Garland Publishing inc., London 1991. | |||||||||||||||||
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Teacher Preparation In 1869 a law was passed which authorized the creation of normal schools. This law provided for the preparation of primary school teachers. President Domingo F. Sarmiento wanted to establish normal schools and kindergartens in Argentina so he extended an invitation to U.S. teachers to come and teach there. One U.S. teacher named George Sterns established the first normal school in 1871. Overall, the teachers founded eighteen schools in 50 years. In order for teachers to instruct at any primary school or to be admitted to most university faculties they must first complete a teacher training program and receive a teachers diploma(titlo de maestro normal nacional). There are special schools set up to train teachers of physical education, dance and teachers for the deaf and mentally handicapped. Those who teach private school also receive special training. The Confederation of Teachers and Professors is the teachers' official union which represents their interest in matters of grievances, retirement benefits , working conditions, and teachers overall welfare. Law 14773, the statute for teachers also protects instructors. This law provides for teachers salaries and benefits, privileges, working conditions, and limitations. | |||||||||||||||||
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