Translated by Mariana Silva
According to a survey carried out in 2013 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 24% of Mexican middle school teachers, that is almost 1 of every 4, feels unprepared to carry out their job.
The Teaching and Learning International Survey (Talis) indicates that the country has the third largest share of teachers that answered this way. In contrast, the average percentage of teachers that do not feel prepared to perform their work in the 33 countries consulted is 7%.
The results of the international report also show that
“Mexico is one of the countries in which middle school teachers with less than a university education are most commonly found (9%).”
The country also has a smaller proportion of teachers that report having completed initial teacher education or training programs, at 62%, when the average for the 33 countries is 90%.
The OECD report reveals that 72% of Mexican teachers do not have access to formal course work, and 60% lack access to mentoring in their institutions, according to their principals. The average in the other countries is less than half of the Mexican rate: 34% lack courses and 26% lack mentoring.
According to what the OECD explains on their notes on Mexico,
The OECD report reveals that 72% of Mexican teachers do not have access to formal course work, and 60% lack access to mentoring in their institutions, according to their principals. The average in the other countries is less than half of the Mexican rate: 34% lack courses and 26% lack mentoring.
According to what the OECD explains on their notes on Mexico,
"in other countries like England and the Netherlands, most teachers have access to at least one of these types of support."In contrast, teachers in Mexico report “high rates" of participation in activities for professional development.
Mexican teachers said that in the last 12 months they spent 19 days attending courses and workshops, in comparison with the eight days spent by the other participant countries. Teachers in Mexico also spent 8 days in conferences and seminaries on education, double than the average of the 33 nations.
Forty three percent of Mexican teachers participated in qualification programs during the last year, whereas the average rate of the 33 countries is of hardly 18%.
"Mexican teachers tend to show greater levels of participation than the average in a series of different professional development activities, including courses and workshops (90%), in-service training in outside organisations (19%), network of teachers (41%), and individual or collaborative research (49%)," says the OECD.
“To help teachers improve, Mexico needs to ensure that professional development is of good quality, relevant to teacher's needs, and offers a coherent view of professional growth", adds the study.The Congress approved a constitutional reform targeting educational matters in 2012, led by the main parties and President Enrique Peña Nieto within the framework of the Pact for Mexico. Now teachers, principals, advisers and superintendents have to submit to periodic evaluations, whose results will determine if their keep or lose their jobs.
At first, the SNTE [National Union of Education Workers] was against it. At the time it was led by Elba Esther Gordillo, who is now in jail accused of embezzlement of her union's money.
Talis was carried out in Mexico between February and June of 2013 from a sample of 3,138 teachers and 186 principals in 200 schools. The questionnaire included characteristics of a teacher, work atmosphere, leadership, learning and development opportunities, evaluation and feedback, beliefs and pedagogical practices, self-sufficiency and work satisfaction. Spanish Original