Education in Mexico

Education in Mexico
Education in Mexico is regulated by the Secretariat of Public

Education. Education standards are set by this Ministry at all levels
except in "autonomous" universities chartered by the government
(e.g., UNAM). Accreditation of private schools is accomplished by a
mandatory approval and registration with this institution.
The 1917 Constitution provides that education should avoid privileges
of religion, and that one religion or its members may not be given
preference in education over another. Religious instruction is
prohibited in public schools; however, religious associations are free
to maintain private schools, which receive no public funds. Proof of
Mexican citizenship is required to attend public schools for free.
In the same fashion to other education systems, education may be
described in identifiable stages, such as Primary School, Junior High
School, High School, Higher education, and Postgraduate education.
Basic education
In Mexico, basic education is normally divided in three steps: primary
school (primaria), comprising grades 1-6; junior high school
(secundaria), comprising grades 7-9; and high school (preparatoria),
comprising grades 10-12.
Depending on definitions, Primary education comprises primaria and
secundaria, which are compulsory by law, while Secondary education
only includes preparatoria, which was not compulsory a few years
ago, but it has been made mandatory as well.
Primary School
The terms "Primary School" or "Elementary School" usually
corresponds to primaria, comprising grades 1-6, when the student's
age is 6 to 12 years old. It starts the basic compulsory education
system.
Depending on the school, a bilingual education may be offered from
the beginning, where half the day instruction is in Spanish, and the
rest is in a second language, for example, English, French, Tzotzil or
Tzeltal.
In Spanish, the general term for "school" is escuela, but in Mexico, it
is common to use escuela for public schools, which are the majority,
while the term colegio (cognate with "college") is reserved for private
schools.
Junior High School
The terms "Junior High School" or "Middle School" usually
correspond to secundaria, comprising grades 7-9, when the student's
age is 12 to 15 years old. It is part of the basic compulsory education
system, it follows primary school, and comes before "high school"
(preparatoria).
At this level, more specialized subjects may be taught such as
Physics and Chemistry, and World History.
There is also the tecnica which provides vocational training, and the
telesecundaria which provides distance learning.
Despite the similarities of the words "Secondary school" and
secundaria, in Mexico the former is usually translated to preparatoria,
while in other countries, such as Puerto Rico, or within the Spanish-
speaking populations of the United States, the term secundaria refers
to High School.
High School
The terms "High School" or "gymnasium" usually corresponds to
preparatoria or bachillerato, and follow "secundaria" comprising
grades 10-12, when the student's age is 15 to 18 years old. Students
may choose between two main kinds of high school programmes:
The SEP incorporated A and a University Incorporated one,
depending on the state. Other minority of programs are available only
for private schools, such as the International Baccalaureate which
carries a completely different system. Nevertheless, in order to be
taught, it must include a national subject at least. In addition, there
are programs such as tecnología and comercio that prepare students
for a particular vocational career.
Preparatoria traditionally consists of three years of education, divided
into six semesters, with the first semesters having a common
curriculum, and the latter ones allowing some degree of
specialization, either in physical sciences (physics, chemistry,
biology, etc.) or social sciences (commerce, philosophy, law, etc.).
The term bachillerato is most commonly used for institutions that offer
a three-year education program that "prepares" the student with
general knowledge to continue studying at a university. In contrast,
the term preparatioria is most often used for institutions that provide
vocational training, in two or three years, so the graduate can get a
job as a skilled worker, for example, an assistant accountant, a
bilingual secretary or an electronics technician.
In recent years, the progression through Mexican education has
come under much criticism. While over 90% of children in Mexico
attend primary school, only 62% percent attend secondary school
("preparatoria"). After secondary school, only a quarter pass on to
higher education.[6] A commonly cited reason for this is the lack of
infrastructure throughout the rural schools. Moreover, the government
has been criticized for paying teachers too much and investing too
little into the students. In its annual report on education, the OECD
has placed at below average in mathematics, science, and reading.[7]
Higher education
Higher education usually follows the US education model with an at
least 4-year Bachelor's degree undergraduate level (Licenciatura),
and two degrees at the postgraduate level, a 2-year Master's degree
(Maestría), and a 3-year Doctoral degree (Doctorado). This structure
of education very closely conforms to the Bologna Process started in
Europe in 1999, allowing Mexican students to study abroad and
pursue a Master's degree after Licenciatura, or a Doctoral degree
after Maestría. Unlike other OECD countries, the majority of Mexico's
public universities do not accredit part-time enrollment programs.
1. Read the text carefully and answer the following questions:
a) What is the text about?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
b) What institution establishes the education standards in Mexico?
_____________________________________________________________________________
c) What does 1917’s Mexican constitution provide?
_____________________________________________________________________________
d) Does private schools receive public funds?
_____________________________________________________________________________
e) What are the stages of Mexican education system?
_____________________________________________________________________________

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Education in Mexico

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Education in Mexico

Education in Mexico is regulated by the Secretariat of Public

1. Read the text carefully and answer the following questions:

a) What is the text about?

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