A recent analysis of the delicate state of education in Mexico was released by the Mexican Institute of Competitivity (IMCO), a national think tank, based on information from the country’s Secretary of Public Education (SEP). It shows that billions of pesos have been irresponsibly wasted on everything from non-existent schools and salaries of phantom teachers that don’t even teach class.

This enormous expenditure doesn’t produce even the most basic acceptable level of education for Mexican school children, an expenditure which of course is funded increasingly by taxpayers and at great cost to society.

The census, which was craftily performed by the federal government itself, revealed that more than 39,000 phantom employees exist. Over 30,000 teacher salaries are paid to individuals who don’t teach class at all, and whom merely perform labor union tasks. More than 113,000 individuals are paid by one school while employed by another.

More than 114,000 individuals are paid teacher salaries under the credentials of retired teachers. All of the above waste equates to an expenditure of 35 billion pesos a year. In light of this outright theft, what does the federal government propose to do to stop the bleeding? And what are we going to do in light of this fraud?

Inequality, poverty, and violence is bares witness to the effects of massive systemic fraud in the Mexican education system, effects that are dragging this country down. These conditions are a direct result of an education system that has let the country down in all regards. In addition to the widespread bait and switch tactics, we are being robbed with total impunity.

The IMCO analysis builds on other important revelations brought to light by well-known organizations that specialize in this subject matter, such as Mexicanos Primero (Mexicans First), Mexico Evalua (Mexico Evaluates), and COPASE, a non-profit organization here in Baja California that promotes civic participation in education.

Without undermining legitimate achievements by the Government, and while taking into consideration the fact that many teachers are truly committed to education, the hard truth is that these are merely bandages on the gaping wound that is our struggling education system, extravagant waste, and systemic disorder that is suffocating any progress. Meantime, the vice director of the secretary of public education (SEP) renounced the results of the IMCO for merely showing us the truth. Any competent authority would have embraced this study as a source of constructive criticism, and as a way to understand where the system has gone wrong and what can be done to mitigate fraud, and set a timeline for improvement.

What is alarming is the fact that, despite such critical facts, society does not seem to be reacting with sufficient indignation, and is not using this knowledge as a way to demand more accountability and solutions such as those proposed by civic organizations. Can it be that we are just overwhelmed by the rampant disorder that we are surrounded by? Is it possible we cannot see the forest for the trees? Or do we not know where or who we should turn to for support, proposals, and resolution?

It doesn’t matter how many reforms are passed, no matter how good they may sound, unless we get to the root of the issue our struggling and disorderly education system will never break through. The size of the consequences will be on par with the size of the problem.

I invite my readers to visit the websites of IMCO, Mexicanos Primero, Mexico Evalua, and COPASE, where you may find more information, proposals, solutions, and a space for you to join in on the conversation. Also, finalabuso.org, which means ‘end the abuse’, where you can at least sign a petition in support.

Gaston Luken is a Mexican politician and businessman, contacto him at gastonluken@gmail.com

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