We do need more education

In 1999, the then-chancellor of the University of Buenos Aires, Guillermo Jaim Etcheverry, wrote a book warning of Argentina's failing educational system, a warning that echoed across politicians, business leaders and journalists. Despite increased funding and attempts to decentralize the system, Argentine students continued to lag behind their peers globally, ranking 72nd out of 91 countries in the latest PISA exams.

While Argentina boasts notable talents like Jorge Luis Borges and César Milstein, the country lacks a widespread "officer class" capable of leading in various fields. This lack of leadership extends beyond Argentina to other European countries, with Estonia and the UK the only ones in the top 10 dominated by Eastern Asia nations.

Experts attribute the global decline in educational achievement to decreased interest in reading for pleasure and the influence of digital devices in the classroom. However, other factors such as the aversion to competition, Confucian attitudes in Asian countries, and the feminization of the teaching profession, which fosters a less ambitious mindset, also play significant roles.

Additionally, the belief that older generations have failed to pass on valuable wisdom and the notion that modern children are inherently more capable in the digital realm, often at the expense of traditional academic knowledge, further exacerbate the issue. As the job market evolves rapidly, the value of standard academic degrees is increasingly questioned, putting further strain on educational systems worldwide.