Educational Gift: Lasting Effect | Article

Roberto Velez Grajales*

According to data published by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), there is a negative trend in Mexico for 2022. The problem is not only limited by the potential impact of the pandemic, but also deepens educational problems which in itself was already difficult. While it is true that education is not the only engine needed to promote social mobility, it is an inevitable condition for empowering a population. Consequently, unless necessary efforts are made to address the level and quality of education in the country, its negative impact on social welfare and economic productivity will continue to haunt us for many years to come.

The first point to highlight from the PISA data is that while it is true that in absolute terms the decline observed in 2022 reading ratings, mathematics and science scores were less pronounced than the average for Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, but it is also true that Mexico’s level in 2018 was already relatively low. To assess the situation in the country, it is worth expanding the comparison over time, as well as comparing the results of different economic groups.

Focusing the analysis on the mathematics exam, the highest historical score for Mexico was obtained in 2009, followed by a negative trend that only stopped between 2015 and 2018 with the aforementioned subsequent decline. Regarding the results by socio-economic group, what stands out in the case of mathematics is the fact that the most advantaged social group in Mexico does not exceed the score of the intermediate group on average for OECD countries. If we distinguish four socio-economic groups and analyze the dynamics from 2012 to 2022, we see a constant and general decline in math performanceUnfortunately, for 2022, this group presents a result that puts it at the minimum for the 10 years analyzed.

To measure the gap, we can compare Mexico with other countries, in this case, the Latin American region. When analyzed by socioeconomic group, Argentina and Brazil, like Mexico, show a negative trend in mathematics performance in both the most advantaged and the most disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. At the other extreme, that is, in terms of progress for the two types of socio-economic groups, are Peru and Colombia. Chile and Uruguay are in a position of progress for the most disadvantaged group and decline for the most advantaged. From a technical statistical point of view, it is a proven fact that the situation of the most disadvantaged sections of the Peruvian population has improved and the

most prosperous in Chile and Argentina. Only in Mexico is the observed downward trend a confirmed fact at both ends of the social ladder. That is, in the case of Mexico, at both extremes of the country’s socio-economic realities Schoolingin this case, math, worsened over a 10-year period.

Subject to deeper diagnosis of PISA results by experts in the field, both the 2022 result and the trend over the past 10 years, as well as their composition by socio-economic group, suggest that in Mexico quality of basic education, whether public or private, is not improving for anyone. Either we deal with the problem and solve it, or we put up with the consequences that have already reached us.

* Executive Director of CEEY. X: @robertovelezg