Argentina: The 2026 Budget Project indicates a reduction in funding for the education system, with cuts affecting technical vocational education, universities, student scholarships, and science and technology.
According to an Argentine News Agency report, a document prepared by the CEPA Center reveals structural changes that, if approved, would modify existing legal pillars in education.
Technical schools: FoNETP collapse and defunding The report warns of a real 93% cut to the National Fund for Technical and Vocational Education (FoNETP) projected for 2026 compared to what was executed in 2023. It also points to a defunding of the fund, which, despite being in force by law, had an execution of 10.8% in 2025 and only 3.5% is expected to be executed in 2026.
“In practice, the Government is eliminating the Fund,” the analysis states.
Repeal of legal guarantees The Budget Project incorporates Article 30, a clause that seeks to repeal three historical pillars of educational funding: - Technical Schools Fund - Guarantee of 6% of GDP for education - Target of 1% of GDP for science and technology
The report qualifies the decision as “institutionally serious,” considering that the Executive Branch had previously suspended by decree the university funding law previously enacted.
Education and Culture Function: Generalized decline Between what was executed in 2023 and what is projected for 2026, the Education and Culture Function would suffer a real decrease of 47.3%, consolidating one of the deepest adjustments in public spending.
Universities and student scholarships in crisis National universities would face a real budgetary drop of 33.8% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, student scholarships and transfers accumulate a real cut of 76.6% between what was executed in 2023 and what is projected for 2026.
Science and technology also affected The national budget planned for science and technology will suffer a real decrease of 48.8% compared to what was executed in 2023, weakening the programs and institutions in the area.
