The public university in Argentina has become the latest target for President Javier Milei’s privatization agenda. During his first four months in office, Milei has made high-impact decisions aimed at reducing the fiscal deficit and shrinking the state. However, his decision to close state agencies and fire tens of thousands of officials has met resistance from many quarters.
The public university is seen as a pillar that still stands in a country that has been hit by multiple economic crises and political disappointments. Free public higher education is one of the few things that lower and middle classes cling to in order to imagine a better future for their children. The images of classes taught in dark classrooms or outside faculties due to lack of funds have outraged people on both sides of the political spectrum, including voters who are closer to the government – radicals and macristas – as well as repentant milleistas.
The smear campaign launched by the far-right government has only worsened the situation. Milei accused teachers of indoctrinating and brainwashing students, which struck a chord with her reading. However, this free universities are also admired in other parts of Latin America, especially in those countries where studying a degree means going into debt for years.
The budget allocated to cover administrative expenses for March and April has not been enough for Argentine public universities, which have resources until July. Neither students nor professors know if there will be classes in the second semester as inflation approaches 300% year-on-year, cutting almost 70% of resources. The Executive tried to stop the march last week with an alleged agreement that rectors denied; government spokespersons said that resources had been allocated for March and April; however, from universities they clarified that the problem was with frozen teachers’ salaries which represent most expenditures.
Milei’s attempts to disqualify the protest only fueled anger among protesters who marched massively on Tuesday against cuts to education funding while former president Mauricio Macri launched financial aid plans for parents who send their children to private schools instead. The UBA is one of the best-rated universities on the continent and is chosen by students from all social classes; therefore letting it disappear means giving up upward mobility opportunities for an impoverished society like Argentina’s.
