You Decide... Is Education in Mexico Free???

Hello everyone.. 

Every once in awhile someone challenges the need for a program such as ours because 

"education in Mexico is free isn't it?" and
"parents get money for their kids to go to school, don't they?"

So in this Blog we provide the facts and let you decide.  

1. Students must purchase and wear 2 uniforms, one for classes and one for sports at a cost of 1000+ pesos. 


2. School supply lists, including a backpack are extensive costing approximately 1,500 to 2000 pesos. 



3. Parent Associations in the Primary and Middle Schools determine an annual fee parents must pay for copies, grade statements, tests, and cleaning supplies.   Often bathrooms are without toilet paper and hand soap unless the student bring from home.  Last year's fee was 40 pesos.

4. Middle school (grades 7, 8, 9) students must pay for copies of assignments they print on the school printer.

5. Middle School graduates must write and pay 190 pesos  for the exam to enter high school. 
                               

Outdoor study space 

6. Depending on the high school students choose to attend, they will pay, annually, upwards of 1,200 pesos for books and a 1,000-1,200 peso registration fee, plus pay for supplies required for extracurricular sports and arts programs; 155 pesos for school repairs and security;  They must also pay 150 pesos to rewrite exams. 

7. There is no high school in Chuburna.  Therefore, high school students must take and pay for public transit to Progreso at a cost of 4,000+ pesos per school year. 

8. Computer generated assignments are expected at the high school level but students have very restricted access to a minimal number of school computers. Therefore, they must pay for time at public internet cafes at 15 to 20 pesos an hour.  

Schools have little to no money for repairs.

IS THERE NO GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR POOR FAMILIES???

 Yes there is. However,  it is not guaranteed and not universal. 

1. The 2015 minimum average daily wage is 69 pesos... about $5.00 USD.  That is per day, not per hour. Those of us who live in the area may pay pay their workers and housekeepers 300 pesos a day. However, the fact to consider is that most laborers do not work every day and a great many more locals have no work at all. 

2. There is a government program called Beca de Oportunidades;  1,100 pesos every 2 months per child for middle school; a little less for primary and a  little more for high school.

• Families must apply indicating their financial situation, number of children etc. This is particularly difficult for families when the parents are illiterate which many in the village are.
• The application goes to Progreso and onto a Yucatan State Department where the decision is made as to who receives the “beca”.
• Not everybody receives it. For example, 42%  or 59 of 135 children, attending the Middle  School receive the beca.  This income is not considered by the Apoyo program when we match students with sponsors because of its restrictions and unpredictability,
• The "beca" is paid in 4 installments with NO BECA FOR JULY & AUGUST because there is no school. 
• If a student misses 5 days in one month, the family does not receive the beca for the next month. For example, one of our sponsored students, missed 8 days because of measles. If his family qualified for a "beca" they would not receive it next month.

3) Single mothers attending school while pregnant and after having the baby are eligible to apply for a beca of 1,600 pesos per month for as long as they attend school up to age 18. 

4) This past year, the  federal government provided school supplies for children in primary and middle school.  The basic supplies arrived in October and were comprised of 7 scribblers, 2 black pens, 2 blue pens, 1 red pen, 2 pencils, 2 pencil sharpeners, 1 eraser, 1 pkg. of colored pencils, 1 basic calculator, 1 glue stick, 1 Spanish dictionary.

In addition, for the first time, primary school students received a uniform comprised of a tee shirt and pants/skirt, shoes and backpack at the end of October 

Parents and schools never know if or when there will be supplies provided.. It depends on government in power. This past year supplies  arrived at the end of October. Not very helpful when school begins the middle to the end of August.

5)  High School Students do have access to a 5,000 peso scholarship for good marks if they enter College or University. It is available for students who maintain 8.5 or better in every course.

6) There is one National Scholarship for Sports in in high school. Gold = 5,000 pesos; Silver = 3,000 peos; Bronze = 2,000 pesos.


It is not easy in Mexico for the poor to get an education and we have not  included the difficulties students face if they choose to go onto college or university.

 Is it free?                 Is there a need for Apoyo Programs?        What do you think?  

Directors
Chuburna Puerto School Support Program