Countries: Mexico
As in other countries, the Bridges to the Future Initiative
(BFI) in Mexico seeks to improve the basic skills, literacy and entry
vocational skills of adults in poor communities. With a population of
more than 100 million, Mexico is a country of considerable ethnic, linguistic
and cultural diversity. There are more than 52 languages, many more
dialects, and at least 62 ethnic groups. While the gross national product
(GNP) per capita was $3 400 in 1996, Mexico continues to have a poor
distribution of wealth. In education, official illiteracy rates have
improved from a 30% in 1970 to 15% in 1990 and 10% today.
Mexico's new government clearly recognizes that the nation's
economic recovery has not been equally beneficial to all of its population;
almost ten percent of the population is illiterate and 28 percent has
not finished the equivalent of a junior high school education. The BFI-Mexico
project will concentrate first on teacher training, and then on providing
information and instructional resources to individuals through community-based
learning and technology centers. Thus, a key element in the BFI-Mexico
project is to take advantage of ICTs to assist in all dimensions of
the project.
BFI-Mexico (commonly known as Puentes) has developed into
Plazas Comunitarias, a collaborative effort of National Institute of
Adult Education, Ministry of Education (INEA) and the newly created
National Council for Life and Work Education (CONEVyT); the agreement
was a direct result of the catalyst role of the ILI and the BFI working
team that included members of different institutions, including the
Monterrey Institute of Technology and of Higher Education (ITESM) Mexico's
principal science and technology academic institution, based in Monterrey,
an industrious northern. The Ford, JP Morgan and the Kellog Foundations
have provided or are providing further support.
This year alone more than 200 CLTCs should exist nationwide,
80 had been situated already by December 2001. As of February 2002,
the centers have begun operating in 28 Mexican states and in Denver
Colorado where a significant population of immigrants also require educational
attention.These centers provide cost-effective access to the Internet
and equip Mexican students and others with higher levels of ICT education
and skills. In accordance with BFI objectives, the project seeks to
incorporate, adapt and redesign INEA materials, as needed, for new delivery
channels that are cost effective, efficient, and reach a larger portion
of the target population. Thus, literacy and technological literacy
need to be simultaneously addressed with information and instructional
resources that can be delivered via ICTs in a culturally appropriate
for a cost far lower, and at higher quality, than has been possible
heretofore.As of February 2002, a substantial portion of the ICT hardware
and connectivity has been achieved. Progress over the remainder of 2002
will focus on software solutions for the effective use of ICT by poor
communities in Mexico. This aspect of the effort will tie into ILI's
strengths in terms of local language software for low literate populations.
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