Financing for equity in pre-primary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
UIS data indicate that the official entrance age to pre-primary education was 3 years in 2024. In 2023, the legal frameworks granted three years of free pre-primary education and two years of compulsory pre-primary education. The net enrolment rate for pre-primary education for both sexes in 2022 was 76.07%.
Governance
Law No. 26.206, and its amendment Law No. 27.045 of 2006, regulate the governance of the national education system, including pre-primary education (educación inicial). Article 12 of Law No. 26.206 of 2014 establishes that the National Government, through the Ministry of Education (currently under the Ministry of Human Capital), together with the Provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, are jointly and concurrently responsible for the planning, organisation, supervision, and financing of the National Education System, including the allocation and oversight of education budgets at the pre-primary level.
Tuition-free status
Pre-primary education is tuition-free, according to laws and policies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Non-Automatic Transfers from National Educational Programs
Resources are transferred from the central government to provinces through non-automatic transfers from National Educational Programmes, which are funded by the national education budget and managed by the Ministry of Education. These transfers support specific policy goals and supplement provincial education budgets.
Coparticipación Federal
Through coparticipación federal, the national government redistributes tax revenues to provinces, with a portion earmarked for education. The allocation formula incorporates equity considerations, ensuring that poorer provinces receive higher per capita funding.
Equity-Based Funding under Law 26.075
Article 8 of Law 26.075 established an equity-based funding mechanism that allocates resources to provinces according to their share of the student population, socio-economic needs, and enrollment gaps, prioritising disadvantaged and rural areas.
2. Education resources to institutions
National Early Childhood Plan (Plan Nacional de Primera Infancia)
The National Early Childhood Plan, established by Decree 574/2016 and regulated by Resolution SENNAF 524/2021 from the National Secretariat for Children, Adolescents and Families (SENNAF), allocates resources to both public and private pre-school institutions using an equity formula. The plan provides two types of financial support to Child Development Centres (Centros de Desarrollo Infantil, CDIs) serving children aged 45 days to 4 years: a one-time initial subsidy to support the opening or strengthening of infrastructure, and a monthly subsidy for operational and educational expenses. The monthly subsidy is calculated per child (valor cápita) and disbursed semiannually. Government-run centres receive a lower subsidy of 1,800 ARS per child per month, while non-governmental organisations receive 2,500 ARS per child per month, reflecting support for institutions in more vulnerable contexts. Subsidy amounts can be adjusted based on operational cost increases and institutional needs.
The Programa de Apoyo al Plan Nacional de Primera Infancia y la Política de Universalización de la Educación Inicial (PRINI) is co-executed by Argentina’s Ministries of Social Development and Education with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). PRINI aims to expand access to and improve the quality of early childhood care and education for children aged 0 to 5, implemented in two phases: PRINI I (2017–2023) and PRINI II (2023–2027). PRINI I focused on constructing and renovating Early Childhood Centres (EPIs) and kindergartens. PRINI II, with USD 200 million in financing, targets the construction of 63 new kindergartens, equipping 3,000 schools with digital classrooms and playgrounds, and training 20,000 pre-primary teachers. Both phases prioritise equity by targeting vulnerable regions based on poverty indicators (NBI), promoting gender equality, and incorporating environmental sustainability standards.
3. Education resources to students and families
In 2024, the Ministry of Human Capital established the Vouchers Educativos programme through Decree Resolución 61/2024, implemented and administered by the Secretariat of Education. The programme providestemporary financial assistance to socio-economically vulnerable families, supporting students’ education through a non-contributory benefit. Vouchers are granted to disadvantaged families of students up to 18 years old attending pre-primary, primary, and secondary privately managed public schools financed at 75 per cent by the state. The voucher amount is based on school fees, with an average monthly value of ARS 10,648.48, distributed by level (ARS 10,372.93 for Early Childhood). Eligible families must have resided in Argentina for at least two years and earn less than seven times the Minimum Living and Mobile Wage (SMVM), set at ARS 234,315.12. The programme aims to promote educational inclusion by helping disadvantaged students access public-private schooling through financial support.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Asignación Universal por Hijo (AUH)
The Asignación Universal por Hijo (AUH), established by Decree 1602/2009, is a monthly non-contributory cash benefit managed by ANSES and directed at socioeconomically vulnerable families with children under 18 enrolled in pre-primary, primary, or secondary education, or of any age in the case of disability. Eligible families include those in informal employment, with incomes below the Minimum Living Wage, or unemployed without access to unemployment insurance. The benefit is paid 80 per cent regularly and 20 per cent conditionally, contingent on compliance with school attendance and health or vaccination requirements. Amounts vary based on household income and geographic location to ensure equity for poorer and rural regions. In 2025, families in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fe, and CABA with incomes up to ARS 795,177 receive ARS 51,355 per child, decreasing in tiers to ARS 10,807 for those earning up to ARS 4,210,876. For children with disabilities, benefits range from ARS 167,217 to ARS 74,660, applying the same equity-based structure.
Tramitar la Ayuda Escolar Annual
The Ayuda Escolar Anual is an annual financial support granted to individuals receiving the Asignación Universal por Hijo or the Asignación Familiar por Hijo for children of school age, from 45 days to 17 years inclusive, enrolled in pre-primary, primary, or secondary education, with no age limit for children with disabilities. ANSES administers the programme. In 2025, the financial support was ARS 85,000 per child.
This profile was reviewed by Agustin Claus, Researcher and consultant.
