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Survey Finds Widespread Student Demotivation and Absenteeism in Argentina's Secondary Schools

A national poll of teachers and school leaders published May 28 provides detailed, disaggregated evidence that is now shaping debates over parental councils, repetition rules and an optional national exit exam

Overview

  • The May 28 survey of more than 1,200 teachers and directors across roughly 700 schools found 82.3% name student lack of motivation as the main problem and 73.8% point to high absenteeism.
  • Educators report weak family involvement in student trajectories, with 58.2% seeing low participation overall and 73.1% reporting low engagement in low‑socioeconomic schools.
  • Teachers broadly reject giving parents a role in selecting school leadership, with 70.6% opposed to parental voice in those management decisions.
  • There is strong consensus for modernizing teaching: 74.2% support deeper use of active, student‑centered methods, 41.6% back planned pedagogical use of mobile phones, and 91% favor more school autonomy.
  • On contested policy options, 65.2% support an optional national exit exam but 60.8% oppose eliminating traditional grade repetition, a split that will influence local moves in Buenos Aires and national reform talks.