On June 20, the date on which Flag Day in honor of Manuel Belgrano is celebrated, an event occurred that caused controversy and condemnation in the educational and political spheres.
At Primary School No. 154 in the El Frutillar neighborhood of Bariloche, teachers included the presentation of the Mapuche flag in the official ceremony alongside the traditional pledge to the national flag by fourth-grade students.
The scene, captured in images shared on social media, shows the children in white smocks raising the Wenufoye, a symbol associated with the Mapuche people, in an act filled with political symbolism.
The dissemination of the event was carried out by Claudio Avruj, former Secretary of Human Rights and current president of the National Institute of Indigenous Affairs (INAI), who expressed his outrage on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account.
Niños son obligados a jurar lealtad a la bandera mapuche
"Argentina has only one flag, the sky blue and white one. The legacy of Belgrano that we honor today. In several schools in Río Negro, the pledge was made to the Mapuche flag. It is unacceptable and reprehensible. The teachers who promoted this must be sanctioned," wrote the official.
The post quickly went viral with dozens of comments on the matter. "Permanently disqualified from teaching. They should start another career or work at a counter. The only flag is the sky blue and white one that represents the Argentine Republic," wrote one user. Another added: "Absolutely, as you say, Claudio. Last year they were reprimanded, which is like a warning without consequences. That's why they repeat it and will continue to do so if serious measures are not taken."
This way, a practice that has reportedly been taking place for years in Río Negro was finally exposed, to the surprise of many who have been covering up the truth.
In an interview with the Río Negro newspaper, the teachers defended this practice, stating that many children come from indigenous Mapuche families. "When children come today and tell us they want to present the Wenufoye, without anyone imposing it on them, it fills you with satisfaction," said one of the school's teachers.
