School violence and mental health crises spark protests in Argentina

Recent incidents of violence and mental health crises in schools have sparked significant concern and labor protests in Argentina. In Catamarca, a series of violent episodes involving students—including a 16-year-old experiencing a psychotic break and a 17-year-old attacking a teacher—required police and medical intervention. These events have led to criticism from unions regarding the Ministry of Education’s failure to provide adequate psychological support and complete psycho-pedagogical teams.

Similarly, in the province of Buenos Aires, a rise in aggressions against teachers and conflicts between students has prompted a 24-hour teacher strike. Educators and specialists note that school violence is often a reflection of broader societal issues, including post-pandemic social shifts and a decline in institutional authority. There are growing calls for comprehensive prevention policies and better training for staff to manage conflicts that originate outside the classroom.