Long abstract

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This chapter discusses the performance of education services up to the upper secondary level. It assesses both the efficiency (outcome for money invested) and the equity of the system. The chapter shows that the education system has to be improved further to narrow the human capital gap with other OECD countries at a faster pace and to better prepare children for life and work in a modern economy. Mexicans spend comparatively few years in formal education, and the quality of the education they receive is lower than in other OECD countries. This poor performance does not stem mainly from a lack of resources but rather from inefficiencies and misallocation of spending and weak incentives for education professionals to perform well. The chapter makes specific recommendations to improve the system. The ongoing efforts undertaken by the authorities go in the right direction but are not sufficient.