Education in Mexico

Education in Mexico has a long and interesting history. Long before European settlers arrived, Indigenous peoples in Central Mexico had their own schools, such as the telpochcalli and the calmecac. After the Spanish conquest, the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico was created in 1551, becoming the second oldest university in the Americas. For many years, education was mostly for boys from wealthy families in cities and was controlled by the Catholic Church.

In the 1800s, the Mexican government began taking a bigger role in education, wanting to make it available to more people and separate it from church control. Important leaders like President Benito Juárez and later Porfirio Díaz helped grow public schools. After the Mexican Revolution, the 1917 Constitution gave the government even more control over education.

Today, education in Mexico is managed by the Secretariat of Public Education. There are different levels of school, starting with primary school and going up to university. Public schools do not include religious teachings, but private schools can choose to do so. Many students in Mexico go through these stages, learning skills that help them grow and contribute to their country.

Structure of the basic education system

In Mexico, basic education is split into three levels: primary school (primaria), for grades 1–6; junior high school (secundaria), for grades 7–9; and high school (preparatoria), for grades 10–12.

Primary school, for children aged 6 to 12, starts the compulsory education system. Junior high school follows, for ages 12 to 15, and includes subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and World History. There are also special programs such as vocational training and distance learning. High school, for ages 15 to 18, offers different programs. Some focus on general knowledge to prepare students for university, while others provide vocational training for specific jobs.

Educational integration

In 1993, a new rule was made to help all students learn together in regular classrooms, even those who need extra help. This idea is called "educational integration," but many people also call it "inclusive education." It has taken many years to put this idea into practice, and there are still some problems.

Students who need a lot of extra help might go to special schools called Centros de Atencion Multiple (CAM). Other students with special needs join regular classrooms with extra support from a team of teachers, speech helpers, and other experts. This team is called the Unit of Support Services for Regular Education (USAER).

There are some challenges with this system. Sometimes it’s not clear what each team member should do. Also, schools sometimes aren’t set up well for students with special needs, like having the right furniture or restrooms. Many new teachers also don’t get enough training to work with students who need extra help. However, most teachers want to help all students learn together.

Quality of education in Mexico

In recent years, many people have said that moving through school in Mexico is not easy. In 2011, more than 90% of children went to primary school, but only 62% went to secondary school, and just 45% finished it. After that, only a quarter of students went on to higher education. A report showed that the number of young people finishing secondary school dropped from 49% to 41% between 2019 and 2024.

One big reason for this is that many schools in rural areas do not have good buildings or resources. The government has been asked to spend more money on students. In 2012, a report showed that Mexico was below average in subjects like math, science, and reading. In 2013, new rules were made to change how schools are run, taking control away from the teachers union and giving it to the government. This change has been challenging.

Higher education

See also: List of universities in Mexico

Higher education in Mexico includes both public and private schools. Students usually start with a four-year bachelor's degree called a Licenciatura, followed by a two-year Master's degree called a Maestría, and a three-year Doctoral degree called a Doctorado. There is also a higher doctorate called the Doctor of Sciences.

Undergraduate studies take at least four years and end with a bachelor's degree. About 23% of people aged 23 to 35 in Mexico have a college degree.

Since 2005, postgraduate studies are split into two groups: professional development and scientific research. Professional development includes a one-year Specialization Diploma and a two-year Master's degree. Scientific research includes a two-year Master of Science and a three-year Doctoral degree.

Intercultural Universities

Intercultural Universities in Mexico were started in 2004 to help include more indigenous population in higher education. Only about 1% to 3% of students in higher education are from indigenous groups. These universities work with local indigenous groups to make education more accessible.

International education

As of January 2015, there were 151 international schools in Mexico, according to the International Schools Consultancy (ISC). These schools offer education in English to students of various ages, either fully or partially, and follow curricula that differ from Mexico's national curriculum. They aim to provide a global educational experience.

Educational years

School years

The following tables show the usual ways school years are organized in public schools.

History of education

In central Mexico, the history of education goes back to ancient times, with the education of Nahuas in schools for both elites and common people. After the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, leaders began teaching Christianity to indigenous people.

During colonial times, schools for elite men of European descent were created under the Catholic Church. After Mexico became independent, there were efforts to separate the church from the government, including removing the church from control of schools. Education remains very important in Mexican culture and society, and there are still debates about how it should be organized. The history of education in Mexico helps us understand the nation’s larger history.

Education in Mesoamerica Before the Spanish

In central Mexico, in a place called Mesoamerica, the Aztecs set up schools for training warriors and priests. An old manuscript made by native writers after the conquest shows these schools. Aztec priests were very important, so training them in religious duties was a big priority. Aztec leaders also needed well-trained warriors to protect their growing empire, so they created special schools for that too.

Colonial-era education, 1521–1821

See also: Academy of San Carlos

Education of the indigenous in Central Mexico

The Spanish leaders made a big effort to educate people in colonial New Spain. The first schools were started by religious leaders to teach indigenous people about Christianity. Teaching the native people was seen as a key reason for the Spanish taking over. Spanish culture was encouraged as a way to help integrate indigenous people.

Religious leaders built churches in indigenous communities, where they taught religious lessons. Some indigenous boys were chosen to help teach others. In 1536, a school was created to train indigenous men to become Catholic priests. Though this didn’t work as well as hoped, it did create a group of indigenous men who could read and write in their own language, as well as in Spanish and Latin. The Franciscans also started a school to teach boys useful skills and crafts.

Education of elite Creole men

The Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico was founded in 1551. It was the first university in Mexico and trained priests, lawyers, and later, doctors. The university was very important and was the only place that could give out official academic degrees. The Jesuits came to Mexico in 1571 and started their own schools, but they weren’t allowed to give out degrees.

The university stayed very important. One famous graduate was Don Carlos de Sigüenza y Góngora, a smart Mexican thinker from the 1600s. Another famous person, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, was not allowed to attend the university because of her gender.

Generally, schools were mostly in cities, with Mexico City having the most. There were also schools in smaller cities to train priests. Some of these schools were important during the movement to become independent from Spain.

Education of girls and mixed-race children

Most people in Mexico couldn’t read or write and had no access to school. Girls had very few opportunities. Some girls in cities went to schools run by religious women, often staying there for their whole lives. A few girls from rich families had private teachers, but only to help manage a household. There were almost no schools for children of mixed races.

National period – 1821–present

During colonial times, education was controlled by the Catholic Church. After Mexico became independent, new ideas about public, non-religious education began to grow. There have been many debates and conflicts about the role of the church and the government in education.

Post-Independence Era, 1821–1850

When Antonio López de Santa Anna gave control to his vice president Valentín Gómez Farías, they created a public education system in 1833. This was before there was a special government department for education. This change didn’t last long, but later, during a big change called the Liberal Reform, a school to train teachers was created.

Reform era, 1850–1876

A key person in higher education was Gabino Barreda, who helped create a new school in 1868. This school offered the same education to all students, filling a gap between basic school and professional training.

Porfiriato, 1876–1910

During the time of Porfirio Díaz’s leadership from 1876 to 1910, the government made education a priority. More schools were built, and the government took more control over them. The goal was to create a modern and educated workforce. Teachers were expected to teach good habits, like being on time and working hard. However, many teachers weren’t well-trained, which made it hard to reach everyone.

Many people still couldn’t read or write. By 1910, only about a third of men and a quarter of women could read. Few students went to school beyond basic education. Even though it was hard to change everyone’s behavior, the government’s focus on education was an important step. Some teachers later became leaders in fighting against the government.

1920–1940

After the Mexican Revolution, the government made a big push to control public education. A leader named José Vasconcelos started many education programs, including for indigenous children. The government took over schools from the states and enrollment in rural areas grew a lot. Public schools became a way for the government to share its ideas with people in the countryside.

During the 1930s, there was a push for “socialist education,” which led to disagreements with religious groups. The government also expanded schools to train more teachers after the revolution. Teachers became important in creating worker and farmer groups.

Education, post-1940

See also: Vicente Fox Center of Studies, Library and Museum

When a new leader, Manuel Avila Camacho, took over, he ended the idea of socialist education. The government continued to improve education standards and train teachers better. From 1940 to 1960, Mexico’s economy grew, and more people believed education was key to development.

In 1949, teachers formed a big national union. In 1968, during the Olympic Games in Mexico City, there were big protests by students, and the government responded harshly. Later leaders tried to improve education to avoid such issues. New ways to teach adults were introduced, including using TV shows.

The government also worked to improve higher education, especially in science and technology. Despite efforts, many people, especially in rural areas, still had low education levels. New programs were created to help adults learn to read and write.

School attendance has increased over time. In 1950, Mexico had three million students. By 2011, there were 32 million. In 2020, about 97.5% of children aged 6 to 14 went to school.

In 2004, about 97% of young people under 14 could read and write, placing Mexico 24th in the world. By 2018, the rate was 94.86%.