Book critique: Cartas para los educadores del siglo XXI

Argentina has been through different crisis as regards education since politicians have changed education laws to make them fit their political models. Students from all levels have registered in their bodies, knowledge, values and feelings the deep damage the neoliberal policies have caused to education during the last decades.   However, there are people in charge who still believe in education and think that it is not too late for a change. Puiggrós (2007) is a specialist in history and education policies from Argentina and Latin America.  Being an author, a researcher, an educator and a current politician, Puiggrós (2007) has taken part in the development of the new national law of education while she was a deputy for the province of Buenos Aires.  Puiggrós (2007) stated that:

La educación no alcanza para cambiar una sociedad injusta, pero tiene la capacidad de contribuir a su transformación desde muchos ángulos y  mediante un sinúmero de estrategias. Hay que ponerla al servicio del Pueblo, para que ayude a recorrer el largo camino hacia la democracia (p. 313).

Puiggrós (2007) describes the modifications made to the national law of education in 2005 in her book.  Not only does Puiggrós’ (2007) work provide educators with an insight of the history of education in Argentina but also it analyzes the new law and the differences it has compared to the former ones. What is more, Puiggrós (2007) also refers to the role of communication in education since she considers that it is a vehicle for growth.

This book is intended for current and prospective teachers who have to face the new challenges of the century because it deals with topics such as social inclusion, responsibility and equal opportunities, terms which have been omitted in previous laws. The book is divided into four parts and each part contains between five and six chapters. The first part describes the current situation of education in Argentina as the result of the misuse of the former laws. The second part elaborates on the education system taking into account the differences among all levels of education. The third part deals with educators and the institutions in charge of providing educators with professional development. The last part gives educators an insight of the new policies and the changes that the educational has been through lately.

 Especially noteworthy is the style the author has chosen to describe the changes Argentina has suffered as regards education and the measures that have been taken in pursuit of growth. Apart from that, Puiggrós (2007) has successfully depicted the new terms included in the law such as social inclusion and equal opportunities.   Nevertheless, she has used complex terminology throughout the book which may prevent the reader from completely understanding the work. Perhaps, if the author would have avoided some legal terms or added some extra explanation, the reader would find it easier to follow. What is more, Puiggrós (2007) fails to expand some topics, such as communication. Had she explained the role of communication in depth, the reader would have understood what problems education is going through as regards this topic.

On the whole, it is an interesting book which develops and expands on the National Law of Education. Moreover, it provides educators with the necessary information to face the challenge of teaching. It is definitely worth reading.

Reference

Puiggrós, A. (2007). Cartas para los educadores del siglo XXI.  Buenos Aires: Galerna.