Argentina is taking a significant step in embracing blockchain technology by incorporating Ethereum and blockchain education into its high school curriculum.
The Buenos Aires Ministry of Education has teamed up with the ETH Kipu Foundation to introduce these technologies to students. This initiative is designed to prepare young Argentines for a future in the tech-driven economy and reflects the growing importance of digital assets in the country.
Blockchain technology in education
Beginning on August 27, high school students in Buenos Aires will receive education in blockchain technology as part of their classroom learning. The program will also offer students internships with blockchain projects, providing hands-on experience in this emerging field. Through these internships, students can apply what they learn in real-world scenarios, further solidifying their understanding of blockchain technology.
As part of this initiative, 500 students aged 18 and above will be trained in Solidity, the programming language used for Ethereum smart contracts. This education aims to equip students with the skills to develop decentralized applications (dApps) that can be integrated into Argentina’s local economy. The program’s long-term goal is to foster a generation of tech-savvy individuals who can contribute to the country’s growing blockchain ecosystem.
Teacher training and program impact
The program will also train 30 teachers to ensure they are well-prepared to teach these new subjects. These educators will undergo a hybrid training program that covers the basics of blockchain technology, enabling them to teach the material effectively to their students. The ETH Kipu Foundation, a non-profit organization supported by the Ethereum Foundation, has been instrumental in launching this program.
The foundation has a history of conducting developer programs across Latin America, and this latest initiative is seen as a significant milestone in its efforts to promote Ethereum technology.
Romina Sejas, co-founder of the ETH Kipu Foundation, has described the program as a landmark achievement. She emphasized the importance of the Ethereum network as a tool for human coordination and highlighted the months of planning that went into developing the curriculum.
Argentina’s growing Crypto ecosystem
This educational initiative is part of a broader effort to establish Argentina as a leading crypto hub in Latin America. The country ranks fourth globally in cryptocurrency ownership, and the local crypto ecosystem thrives. Community-led initiatives, such as those by ETH Kipu and the Crisciemento movement, have played a crucial role in this growth.
Argentina’s crypto ownership (Source: Triple A)
Since the election of pro-crypto president Javier Millei in November 2023, Argentina has introduced several policies to support the cryptocurrency industry. These include the Virtual Assets Service Providers Register and a resolution allowing companies to receive cryptocurrency. Additionally, the government is considering further regulations and tax exemptions to encourage the use of digital assets.
The Ethereum-focused education initiative and other organizations also promote crypto education in Argentina. In collaboration with the crypto exchange BingX, NGO Bitcoin Argentina offers Web3 educational courses covering various aspects of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and stablecoins.