• Increase to 30 percent the number of pupils in grades 4 to 6 of primary school attending a longer school day • Increase the percentage of poor youths who complete secondary school to 70 percent • Improve the internal efficiency indicators for public secondary education
To achieve these objectives there will be continued support for a grant program aimed to increase graduation of youngsters from the poorest families in secondary education and school infrastructure will be expanded, with about 1,500 new schools being built.
The first loan approved will increase preschool coverage of five-year-olds; it will help add more pupils from primary school grades 4 to 6 to the longer school day; and improve the internal efficiency indicators for public secondary education by raising the graduation rate of students from low-income families.
The loan is for a 25-year term, with a three-year grace period, at an adjustable interest rate.
Local counterpart funds for the loan total US$70 million and for the credit line US$300 million.
The Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Planning, through its Public Investment and Services sector, will carry out the program.
In recent years, the IDB has been supporting the implementation of Argentina´s education strategy through different instruments at both the federal and provincial government levels, with projects such as Education System Improvement Program (PROMSE)with the Federal Ministry of Education, the Program to Support Social Sector Investment in the Province of Buenos Aires, the Social Development Program for the Province of Cordoba and the Program for Productive Sector Development and Competitiveness in the Province of Mendoza.