Higher Education in Mexico Tijs van Olffen Rockie Man Rinke Klein Entink

Three statements about Higher Education 1.Why not copy the Dutch educational system? 2.Is a graduate in Mexico really highly educated? 3.There should be one semi-public type of schools in Mexico. Tuition fees should be considered according to income.

History Knowledge import from colonial past 1970: rapid expansion of higher education ’70-80: Several plans from Government, but no sufficient funding Crisis of the ’80, funding dropped ’90 Important changes, “social and economic relevance” and evaluation of Higher Education

Current situation in short High dropout rate after primary education Selectivity is for social reasons, not a academic selection policy About 2 million students in higher education in the year 2000, largest university, the UNAM Private and Public education Changes in policy for the last years

Stages of studies Upper-secondary studies (bachillerato) University level studies 1)Licenciatura, four years, technical universities offer two-year courses 2)Maestriá or Especialización, two years 3)Doctorado, three years Teacher Education (four years)

Private & Public 1663 institutions of higher education –658 public & 1005 private –Private schools for the upper class Public: –Autonomous –Funded by Government, mostly Federal –Research for the Government

Private & Public Private: –Financed by student fees, donations and industry –Must have a ‘licence’ from Government –Primary for the upper class of Mexico

Financing and Industry 5.1% of GDP goes to education –65.1% to basic education (most students) –9.5 % to secondary education –16.7% to higher education –8.1% To science, technology, cultural development and sports Since the evaluations in the ’90 funding of institutions is related to performance

Financing and Industry Private investment –Higher education in favor of the higher income families The link with industry: –Educational level too low, industry blames past governments for not supporting a competitive economy –Mexico remained technologically backward –Status and relevance

The Dutch 13 Universities Tasks are to teach, research, knowledge transfer and services to the community A quality assurance system Funding –First flow of funds: Government, about 50 % –Second flow: On competitive grounds –Third flow: Contract Research (growing)

Statement one Why not copy the Dutch educational system?

Statement Two Is a graduate in Mexico really highly educated?

Statement three There should be one semi-public type of schools in Mexico. Tuition fees should be considered according to income.