BBC News, 2/26/2013
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has enacted a major reform of the education system that includes new standards for hiring teachers. Under the changes, a census is to establish the exact number of schools, teachers and pupils in the country.
The reforms appear set to weaken the powerful teachers’ union, led by Elba Esther Gordillo, which has largely controlled access to the profession. The union has argued that reforms could lead to massive lay-offs. Critics also say the changes could signal the start of the privatisation of education in Mexico. But Mr Pena Nieto said the reform would maintain the free and secular nature of education.
