The movie name actually refers to a Mexican saying. Here el panzo is your stomach. Also, in Mexico instead of passing by the “skin of your teeth” You get by with the scraping of your stomach (De panzazo). The phrase barely passing in the movie is a reference to dismal PISA scores and high drop out rates Mexico reports annually. I highly recommend it – and here it is for free with subtitles ****https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwcv_EI6Hcs****
It is a thoroughly engaging film featuring many issues including the previous president of the teacher's union Elba Esther Gordillo. Elba is now incarcerated for embezzling money from her own union - National Education Workers' Union,(SNTE) of 1.5 million members. She is also infamous for her private jet, large house and for selling top teaching jobs to the highest bidder during her 18 year tenure.
Elba isn't the only villain in the movie. In Michael Moore style, the documentarians attempt to determine how many teachers are actively employed nationally. Tracking down several high government officials did not yield any answers. Curiously, the Public Education Secretariat could not say how many teachers Mexico has nor any other government entity. It was a "Project" that they were working on. There is also montage showing every Mexican President since 1956 speaking publically about changing policy and enacting education reform.
De Panzazo presents some hard facts:
- Mexico spends more on education than almost any nation on earth (21% of GDP)
- has the lowest PISA scores (the worst in the OECD),
- Of 100 kids who finish elementary and secondary school, 70 don’t make it to high school (drop out), during the 3 years of high school, another 30% of the remaining 30 quit.
- Currently, ,most Mexicans have attained below upper secondary education (middle school). The proportion of adults who have attained at least upper secondary education (36%) is one of the smallest among OECD countries,
- Mexico has the lowest enrolment rates among 15-19 year-olds (56%) among OECD countries, and the largest population of this age group in the country’s history
Currently, Public education is “free.” The SEP changed laws in 2009 to encourage/make all students attend school through grade 12 (previously compulsory age ended at 15) with the aim of attaining universal upper secondary education by 2022. Funding however, was not provided to support these changes.” Students/parents need to purchase uniforms, pay fees and purchase books. The costs can be $500 or more annually. This cost is prohibitive to the average family in which the average income is $4,900 annually, especially a family with several children. There are other obstacles to discuss – even in Merida, a developed city, it can be costly to get to school. There are many schools in the Yucatan (and Mexico) where students need to walk more than 5km one way. It is also common for a family to have children join the workforce. It does not make economical sense for many families to continue to educate their children.
In Mexico high schools are administered by universities, and admission to the programs is highly competitive. In Mérda, there are three public high schools. Only half of the students applying are admitted to the three UADY schools (Preparatoria #1 and #2 and UABIC). Students unable to get admitted to public education programs have the option of attending more expensive private programs.... Nevertheless, students unable to be admitted to one of these programs will not be able to finish high school, nor attend college in Mexico.
In summary – it is difficult for rural and sometimes urban students to get to school much less pay for the privilege of attending.After completing primary and secondary education all students must take a test (and pass) to enter high school. Approximately half do not pass. Not passing means paying for their education at a private high school - a cost prohibitive solution (this process is repeated at the college level). De panzazo, indeed.