The nation-provinces relationship and primary education in Argentina (1905-1978)

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to a discussion that will allow a better understanding of the advances and setbacks in the relationship between the nation and the provinces in the area of primary education during the period between the sanction of the Lainez Law in 1905 and the transfer of the national schools to the provinces in 1978. To this end, the complex and heterogeneous scenario of provincial situations will be described. The period can be divided into three stages: during the 40 years following the sanction of the Lainez Law, the period corresponding to the Peronist government, and the period after the decree enabling the transfer in 1956 until its achievement in 1978. We conclude that the heterogeneity among the provincial situations that was expressed from the beginning, led to different positions on the part of the provinces that weakened their demands, beyond the changing relationship with the central power.