Rural Education in Mexico: A Gateway to a Better Life

摘要

In Mexico, individuals who attain a high school diploma acquire 'the key to the door' of upward social mobility. Mexican governmental policies and goals highlight the combatting of poverty as a top priority. However, inequities exist within the Mexican education system between those living in urban areas and those living in rural areas. Rural areas are generally characterized as having higher poverty, lower income, and lower quality education. In order to effectively combat poverty, the Mexican Government must sell education to the rural area and set the conditions educationally within those areas. The Mexican government must answer five basic marketing questions in tailoring an educational incentive program focused on the rural area poor. To sell the 'product-education' to the 'target consumer - rural poor' the government must address the inequalities in the system by applying the factors of quality, accessibility, affordability, and opportunity within the business marketing framework (the four 'Ps' - product, price, promotion, and place). By applying, enhancing, or revamping educational incentives and programs in rural areas, the government will provide an avenue to a better life and a way out of poverty for the rural poor.