(Profesorado Santa Catalina, Buenos Aires) – The Profesorado Santa Catalina, part of the Casa Salesiana Santa Catalina in the Constitución neighborhood of Buenos Aires, has been dedicated since 1977 to the formation of teachers who combine academic excellence with strong social and human values. As a public teacher training institute with 100% state subsidy, it ensures access to quality education for students from diverse and often vulnerable backgrounds.
Academic Programs and Salesian Identity
Currently, the institute offers two main four-year degree programs: Primary Education Teacher Training and Early Childhood Education Teacher Training, along with a Catechetical Seminar. Its proposal is framed within the National Education Law of Argentina and inspired by the Salesian Preventive System of Don Bosco, which emphasizes presence, unconditional welcome, preventive guidance, and a pedagogy rooted in reason, religion, and love.
Students are encouraged to build a strong professional identity, engage with contemporary cultural and social contexts, and commit themselves to cooperative work and social transformation. Courses such as Teaching Role and Salesian Preventive System, Theology and its Didactics, and Seminar on Social Doctrine integrate Salesian values into the curriculum.
A Student Body with Commitment and Resilience
With nearly 140 students enrolled, the majority come from the southern neighborhoods of Buenos Aires and surrounding areas. Many work to finance their studies, and about 25% are mothers or heads of households. Despite challenges such as limited access to digital devices and connectivity, graduates of the institute enjoy strong employability, often securing teaching positions even before completing their degree due to the high demand for teachers in the city.
Educators and Mission
The faculty consists of 33 teachers, 70% of whom are women. A notable feature is that nine are alumni of the institute who returned as teachers or administrators, demonstrating the lasting impact of the formation received. Faculty members bring diverse expertise, from psychology and psychopedagogy to school management, ensuring an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to teacher education.
The institute is currently preparing to adapt to curricular reforms that will require increased virtual learning. This presents challenges, given that many students lack adequate access to devices or stable internet, highlighting the need for technological infrastructure.
Historical and Social Relevance
Teacher training in Argentina has a long history rooted in the Escuelas Normales promoted by Domingo F. Sarmiento in the 19th century. Today, institutions like Profesorado Santa Catalina continue this legacy while addressing modern challenges such as the low salaries and high workload of teachers in the country. Despite these systemic difficulties, the vocation and mission of educating remain at the heart of the institution.
Towards the Future
The Profesorado Santa Catalina embodies the Salesian mission of forming educators who are not only competent professionals but also agents of change in society. Through its commitment to values, community, and quality education, it continues to strengthen its role in the educational landscape of Buenos Aires and Argentina.
