RE: “In Mexico, Notorious for Bad Education, Teachers Make Big Bucks.”

 Dear Editor,

 Please allow me to submit the following letter in response to the May 15 story, “In Mexico, Notorious For Bad Education, Teachers Make Big Bucks.”

 Ms. Wilkinson’s article describes a recent report that indicates that some teachers in Mexico are posting unusually high salaries. She laments the disruption caused by teacher union strikes on the fourteenth of May, implying that such actions were not appropriate for a paid holiday. Ms. Wilkinson seems to believe that teacher strikes and salaries are to blame for education woes. However, it is imperative to consider all sides of the issue. For instance, Mexican teachers argue that neoliberal economic policies and government mismanagement are the main causes for underperformance in the field. Additionally, the Mexican government found that the report used by Wilkinson contained errors and was not a reliable assessment of salaries. Clearly, casting blame solely on union members represents a superficial treatment of the issue.

 Sincerely,

Kelly Morrison, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs

In response to the Los Angeles Times article: “In Mexico, Notorious for Bad Education, Teachers Make Big Bucks.”

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