The Teacher Wears Prada

Elba Esther Gordillo Photo Credit:  Marcelo A. Salinas/MCT

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/02/26/184266/mexico-arrests-elba-esther-gordillo.html#storylink=omni_popular#storylink=cpy

Education in Mexico is guaranteed as a constitutional right. According to law, it should be public, free of tuition and of bias. However, in reality, education in Mexico is a big business. 

From public school officials asking parents to pay fees (here, here and here) for different things when it is expressedily illegal to do so, to the former teacher's union leader arrested on charges of money laundering, education as it turns out, is not that free after all. The union leader was, until her arrest, the lifelong leader, who said on the day of her SNTE inaguration that "we shall not let our union be anyone's treasure chest, there will be no re-election". Yet when Elba Esther Gordillo was detained on charges of illicit activities and embezellment and  named one of Mexico's most corrupt officials, people just shrugged their shoulders. No one seemed that suprised. So whether it is public or private education, schools mean money. The treasure chest, as it turned out, was meant for Elba Esther Gordillo and her associates.

Photo credit
:http://www.tvnotas.com.mx/

Several years ago, we enrolled one of our children in a public school. While at the school, we were asked to pay a fee of $500 pesos (about $45.00 USD). Imagine how many families have paid these fees only to see Elba Esther Gordillo using some of the most expensive clothing. It is like a smack in the face. Which is why those with the money pay for private school while those who don't have the money, deal with the reality of corruption and economic inequalities in the public school system.

Photo credit: www.thecornerstoneforteachers.com

Which brings me to an image has been making the rounds on social media lately comparing Finland's education system to that of the the US education system. As it turns out, when you compare education systems in both countries, the differences have everything to do with context. And contextualizing this Mexico only shows that the gap between the haves and have nots widens. It isn't fair that teachers and teacher unions take the blame when it comes to deficiencies in education but when people like Elba Esther Gordillo are allowed to stay in power, corruption becomes institutionalized. Which only really ruins it for everyone in the end. 

The teacher's union provided the perfect environment for breeding corruption. Let a person lead a powerful group of people for life and yes, you will get a monster. It was only a matter of time.

Going to the library

© Hans Hillewaert / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I grew up using the public library in my hometown. I loved it. When I moved to Mexico, I discovered that public libraries in Mexico are, with the exception of a select few, places of non-existant disability access, worn linoleum, rudely indifferent librarians, out-of-date reference material and broken chairs. 

But there is a silver lining to this grey cloud. In the city where we live, there is a private library for children that we have attended for some time now. One of the coordinators asked me to write about a recent experience we had a "literary supper". It was a wonderfull experience and places like Bunko Papalote are what make my life in Mexico a little bit more enjoyable. Here is my editorial of "una velada literia" for Bunko Papalote. 

Una Velada Literaria

Un tiempo para estar con mis hijos, un tiempo en donde habrá actividades estructurados para ellos y donde podré convivir con otros adultos al mismo tiempo.

La realización de esa última oración se ha convertido en un bálsamo para mis nervios, un alivio para mi estrés de “mama moderna”.  La ultima velada literario organizado en Bunko Papalote Morelia, fue justamente eso: un espacio en donde pude estar con mis tres hijos de diez y cuatro años y mi bebe de nueve meses y vivirlo de una manera des estresante y relajadora.  Hubo una actividad para l@s niñ@s que me encantó: trabajaron con cajas de cartón, rollos vacíos de papel higiénico, papel de colores, y más material para hacer árboles navideños. A mí me fascina el aspecto de re-utilizar la “basura” en las manualidades.  (Y a través de los años en Bunko he sido testigo del compromiso que tienen en ser un espacio verde.)  

Los arboles de mis niños son encantadores y aun a estas alturas del año, son el orgullo de la mesa de la cocina (él bebe no pudo hacer la manualidad ya que las bolitas de papel eran irresistibles para él y quiso comerse los todos). Para las mamas y papas hubo una meditación guidad presentado por Edith.  La meditación era relajadora y estimulante a la vez. Y cuando llegaron mis niños más grandes con sus árboles navideños, fue con singular alegría que les mostré un paquete pequeño también hecho de un rollo vacío de papel higiénico.  Mi hijo de cuatro tenía más curiosidad por el paquete y le explique que les tenía un regalito para ellos que íbamos a abrir en casa.  El regalo era un dibujo que hice como parte de la reflexión después de la mediación guidada.

La velada termino con hamburguesas vegetarianas deliciosas y mis hijos pidiendo quedarse más tiempo.  Cuando dos niños de diez y cuatro piden quedarse más tiempo en una biblioteca, es cuando supe que la lectura se vive de muchas formas.  Como familia vivimos la lectura día al día, y eso es gracias a Bunko Papalote.