Education System in Mexico
Mexico is officially known as United Mexican States and United States of Mexico. It is situated in North America and ranks fifth in terms of its total area. Mexico has one of the most diverse climatic conditions in the world, because in one region it experiences cool temperature in winters, and in another region it has a constant temperature throughout the year.
In terms of Education, according to UNESCO, Mexico is the 24th country with highest literacy rates. This is because it has a well structured and equipped Educational Systems, with its schools standing out in international rankings.
In Mexico, basic education is normally divided into three levels: primary school (ages six to 12), junior high school (ages 12 to 15) and high school (ages 15 to 18). Throughout all three levels of schooling, attendance is compulsory. There are many private schools in Mexico mainly located in the big cities. Most private schools offer a good standard of education. Each level of education is further subdivided as follows:
Educacion Basica (Basic Education)
- Educacion Preescolar (early childhood education): Ages 3–6
- Educacion Primaria(elementary education): Grades 1–6
- Educacion Secundaria(lower-secondary education): Grades 7–9
Educacion Media Superior (Upper Secondary Education): Typically grades 10–12- Bachillerato General (general academic)
- Bachillerato Tecnologico (technological education)
- Profesional Tecnico (vocational and technical education)
Educacion Superior (Higher Education)
- Tecnico Superior (post-secondary/associate/diploma)
- Licenciatura (undergraduate and first professional degrees)
- Postgrado (graduate/postgraduate education)
All Mexican children are required by law to attend three years of early childhood education (educacion preescolar) beginning at the age of three.
Elementary education is 6 years in length in all states. The curriculum includes Spanish, mathematics, social studies, natural sciences, civics, arts, and physical education. Upon completing grade six, pupils are awarded the Certificate of Primary Education (Certificado de Educacion Primaria).
Close to 98% of pupils who complete elementary education go on to lower-secondary education. Lower-secondary programs are offered in a general academic track (secundaria general), and a vocational-technical track (secundaria tecnica). Both track have a compulsory general academic core curriculum which includes Spanish, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, history, civics, geography, arts, and a foreign language. English was recently made a compulsory subject. Mexican states may also have individual “state subjects.”
Upper-secondary education lasts three years. Some vocational programs may be from two to four years in length. It’s free of fees at public schools and has been compulsory for all students since 2012. There are three categories of upper-secondary programs:
- General academic (bachillerato general)
- Technological (bachillerato tecnologico)
- Vocational-technical (tecnico profesional).
There are more than 3,800 degree-granting HEIs with over 7,400 connected teaching institutions in Mexico. Many new private institutes are also coming up across major cities. These institutes offer various degrees and diplomas in general and technical study areas.
For latest updates see official website of Secretariat of Public Education (Mexico): https://www.gob.mx/sep
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