Mendoza Education Authority Revamps Early Childhood Schools and Expands Protected Schooling

The Dirección General de Escuelas (DGE) of Mendoza issued Resolution No. 4613, replacing the 2015 framework and redefining the organization of Jardines de Infantes Exclusivos (JIE) and Jardines de Infantes Nucleados (JIN). JIE may be attached to primary schools in the same building and must have at least six sections with their own director. JIN can group rooms from nearby establishments within a 10‑km radius, requiring a minimum of six sections in urban areas and four in rural zones, and may span up to six school buildings. The changes respond to a sustained decline in birthrates that has reduced enrollment of children aged 3‑5.

In a separate measure, DGE approved Resolution No. 4590 establishing a protected schooling regime for any primary‑level student at risk of dropping out. The regime mandates an individualized accompaniment plan prepared by a reference teacher and the class teacher, marks the student in the GEI attendance system with the code “EP”, and allows virtual classes after audit approval. The policy aims to prevent school abandonment by addressing external barriers to continued education.