Buenos Aires – City of Buenos Aires Education Minister Mercedes Miguel convened the first meeting of the year with school cooperative representatives on Thursday, outlining key initiatives and reinforcing collaboration with families and the educational community. The meeting, held at the Ministry’s auditorium, included the participation of Undersecretary of Learning Management, Inés Cruzalegui. General Director of Open School Community, Teresa Patronelli; and Operational Manager of Families and Cooperatives, Carla Dib, along with their respective teams.
A central focus of the meeting was the increasing concern surrounding cell phone and social media use among children and adolescents, and its impact on their socio-emotional well-being. Minister Miguel presented the “Family Commitment for Students Without Cell Phones” campaign, a program designed to encourage agreements between families within the same school communities to prioritize the digital well-being of students. The initiative seeks to foster a collaborative approach to managing technology use and mitigating potential harms.
Officials also detailed the guidelines for “Cooperate in Community 2026,” a program that supports the development of institutional projects through joint efforts between schools and their cooperatives. This year’s edition will specifically address digital safety for children and adolescents, aligning with broader policies aimed at promoting responsible technology use. According to a statement from the Ministry, the program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the digital world safely and effectively.
The meeting included testimonials from participants in previous editions of “Cooperate in Community,” who shared their experiences and highlighted the positive impact of the program on school life. These accounts underscored the value of collaborative initiatives in addressing challenges and enhancing the educational environment.
The Ministry of Education has been working to strengthen the role of school cooperatives, recognizing their importance in fostering community engagement and supporting student success. A 2022 law, Ley 6613, established a legal framework for the creation and operation of school cooperatives within the City of Buenos Aires, promoting family participation and collaboration in the educational process. The law designates the Ministry of Education as the implementing authority.
In 2024, concerns were raised regarding delays in the disbursement of funds from the FUDE (Fondo Único Descentralizado de Educación) to school cooperatives, with some cooperatives reporting receiving only between 2500 and 3000 pesos per student for the year. Representatives from Cooperadores en Acción criticized the amount as insufficient, citing the impact of inflation. As of four months into the school year, only 38% of cooperatives had received their FUDE allocations, according to reports from Tiempo AR.
The Ministry has not yet announced a timeline for the full disbursement of FUDE funds for 2026, nor have they responded to requests for comment regarding the concerns raised by cooperative representatives about funding levels.
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