Mexicanos Primero’s Study Highlights Teacher Concerns
Mexicanos Primero, a prominent organization, released the study titled “Voices from the Classroom: The New Mexican School in Teachers’ Experience”, which gathers insights from teachers, educators, and directors in Jalisco, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Yucatán regarding the implementation of the New Mexican School (NEM) during the 2023-2024 school year.
Positive Aspects Acknowledged
The study recognizes positive contributions of the NEM model, such as project-based learning and fostering professional autonomy among teachers. However, it also highlights concerns about the rushed and insufficiently trained launch of this educational initiative.
Collaboration and Capacity Building as Key Challenges
One of the main challenges identified is the collaborative teamwork, particularly in planning and co-designing educational programs. This process demands a high level of commitment and leadership, which seems to be lacking in many cases.
Lack of Clear Formative Path and Insufficient Capacity Building
The report reveals that the absence of a clear formative path generates uncertainty and hinders the effective implementation of new methodologies, especially in areas like project-based work and technology integration.
Teachers appreciate the new approach’s emphasis on community engagement and students’ socioemotional development. However, they express concerns about practical difficulties in executing these changes, including project costs, limited parental involvement, and insufficient experience and support for exercising teaching autonomy.
Concerns Over Fundamental Learning Areas
The study also points out worries about the NEM’s capacity to strengthen foundational learning areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Moreover, it documents the lack of technological infrastructure, connectivity, and appropriate educational materials for students with disabilities, deepening existing inequalities between schools and regions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the New Mexican School (NEM)? The NEM is an educational initiative aimed at modernizing and improving Mexico’s basic education system, focusing on project-based learning, teacher autonomy, and community engagement.
- What are the main concerns highlighted by teachers? Teachers express worries about insufficient training, lack of a clear formative path, and practical difficulties in implementing new methodologies. They also highlight concerns about community involvement, project costs, and foundational learning areas.
- How does the NEM impact students with disabilities? The implementation of the NEM has exacerbated existing inequalities, as many schools lack the necessary technological infrastructure, connectivity, and appropriate educational materials for students with disabilities.
