by Ryan Maraziti

The quality of education in Mexico remains in question after President Ernest Zedillo delivered a promising speech about the future. In a March 31 speech to the National Education Workers Union (SNTE), President Zedillo said education will remain the largest segment of the Federal Government's budget. Zedillo said there will be a large increase of student population in the classroom

"The enrollment in junior-high schools will reach 5.25 million students, 750,000 more than five years ago," Zedillo said. He also said the enrollment in high-school levels would exceed 2.9 million students. There is an apparent discrepancy between these two figures. Dr. William Olson, History Department faculty member at Marist College, said many students aren't allowed to pursue their academic education. "Like most other countries' school systems, and unlike the U.S., Mexico tracks students," Olson said.

"By the time they reach the eighth or ninth grade they are told what kind of schooling opportunities are available to them." Some students are told they will go to a trade school or they will be allowed to pursue a higher level education.

Dr. Jose Torres, Dean of Computer Sciences and Mathematics at Marist College said the reason for the low number of high school students is a result of the economic crisis in Mexico. "Many families are poor in Mexico," Torres said. "The problem is that the poor families can't afford to pay for a private education." Torres said that the majority of families can only afford to send their children to state schools. Because there are so many students, the funds per capita are very low and the quality of education suffers. Torres said private school graduates have a better chance of pursuing a job. "The neglect of the system toward state schools is so damaged that the quality of education is not very good," said Torres.

"The industry has survived by hiring private school graduates." Zedillo also said the expansion of CONALEP, vocational schooling combined with academic schooling, continues to grow outside of the Metropolitan area of Mexico City. According to Torres, most students enroll in these schools because they probably won't be able to pursue or afford college. However, Torres said a major problem exists with vocational schooling.

"Because so many poor families attend CONALEP schools, the number of vocational graduates is high," Torres said. "The result is twice the number of people or graduates than the professions available." Torres said many solutions to improve the quality of education in state schools is politically unappealing. "One solution would be to reduce the size of the system," said Torres.

"If you cut the size in half you double your per capita allowing for more money to be spent towards improving the quality." Torres said this is politically unappealing because nobody wants to tell students they can't go to school unless they meet certain requirements. Requirements that Torres said are necessary to help reduce the size. "Nobody wants to tell these students they can't go to school," Torres said.