Unfortunately I was unable to get information from my contacts in Bolivia but I was able to continue conversations with my contact in Mexico, Gabriella Garcia. The biggest trend in Mexico for basic education has been incrementing coverage over the population. Before 1993, universal education was only six years (primary school), some secondary (middle school), but they did not pretend to cover the population. Since then secondary school is compulsory for all children in Mexico. Since 2008, three years of preschool is obligatory for all children in Mexico. Preschool coverage has increased to 90% in recent years. Garcia says their is a great lack of training for on the job training in Mexico. Programs have changed but not "waterfall" training. This type of training means so many people are trained in the middle that by the time it reaches the schools, the information is diluted. She also says that a few years ago it became a requirement for the main teacher in a preschool classroom must have four years of college.
Ms. Garcia expressed that she would like to return to school and receive some sort of graduate degree. She didn't say for what. She also mentioned eventually coming out of the classroom but she is not sure of the path she wants to take. She said she would like to stay as hands on with the children as possible for as long as she can handle it. She says her biggest challenge as an educator in Mexico is having 45 children in a class at one time. Since communicating with me and finding out the number of students I have she says she wish she could have so few. Keep in mind I complain about my 25!
Thank you for sharing information from your international contact. I think it's a good thing that there is becoming a requirement for main teachers to obtain a four-year degree prior to working as the head of a preschool classroom if the education system in Mexico plans to raise the obligation and importance of preschool for all children. By placing more educated and experienced teachers in those classrooms will provide young children with the positive resources they need to hopefully continue their education.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin
My mother had a variety of classroom sizes while I was growing up. She had as low as 12 students and as high as 41 students. She really enjoyed the smaller class size. She talks about the challenges and rewards of all the types of sizes of classrooms.
ReplyDeleteTanisha,
ReplyDeleteAgain, the lack of training in other countries is a vast problem. We think there is a need in our country but if we compare to other countries we have so much more opportunities that educators sometimes forgo.
45 children in one classroom is crazy!
Smaller classroom sizes are pertinent in order to be effective teachers. I have taught in classrooms with 28 children and no coteacher and it is not easy to relay information to such a busy room. Great post.
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