Improving Inclusion in Secondary and Higher Education

The development objectives of the Improving Inclusion in Secondary and Higher Education Project for Argentina are to: (i) reduce dropout rates in basic and higher education among the most vulnerable; and (ii) strengthen the Borrower’s education evaluation systems. The Government of Argentina (GoA) has a comprehensive strategy to tackle exclusion and dropout, especially for the most vulnerable students, and to improve their learning trajectories. The strategy is multidimensional and includes financial aid throughout primary and higher education (universal child allowance (AUH) and PROGRESAR scholarships), programs to improve the marginal benefit of staying in school, an early dropout prevention program (ASISTIRE), and programs to support vulnerable students in their transition to higher education. Within this strategy, the PROGRESAR scholarships and the national education evaluation system reflect the GoA’s efforts to institutionalize and strengthen service delivery capacity and effective policy-making in the education system - two critical institutional bottlenecks. This operation will provide financial and technical assistance to strengthen the policy implementation capacities of the GoA. Support will be focused on the following programs: PROGRESAR scholarships, the education evaluation system, and ASISTIRE. Sustaining these three programs and improving their implementation will be central to support the most vulnerable in their education progression and graduation and will support the GoA’s efforts to strengthen the education system’s capacity and accountability.