Education

Despite education spending in line with OECD standards, the quality of Mexico’s school system has lagged significantly behind the organisation’s other members. In large part this has been due to a powerful teachers’ union, which has traditionally stood in the way of efforts to reform the sector. Having made considerable advances in extending coverage, particularly at the basic education level, the attention has now shifted towards improving quality. The structural reform passed in 2013 aims to establish a results- and performance-based educational model. While educational results will take a few years to be noted, the reform lays the foundation for a model based on evaluation and development. The sector, which was selected as a pillar for economic and social development in the National Strategic Plan 2013-18, should be set to support further professionalisation of the country’s workforce. This chapter features an interview with Jesús Ancer Rodríguez, Rector, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.