THE INEA AND THE FOREIGN MINISTRY AGREE ON EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR MEXICANS ABROAD 

• This agreement renews Mexico’s commitment to continue offering education to Mexicans abroad.

• Elementary education is currently offered to almost 36,000 students in 423 community centers in the United States.

Today, the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) and the Foreign Ministry signed an agreement to strengthen the education programs offered to Mexican migrants in the United States. Elementary education is currently provided to almost 36,000 students in 423 community centers in the U.S.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Education Secretary Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, who said that there is no better way to help Mexicans living abroad than by offering them quality education so that they can complete their studies. For Mexicans, education is humanity’s heritage.

Education Secretary Córdova applauded the INEA, which recently won the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize, for the quality education it provides Mexican migrants abroad. He also recognized the Foreign Ministry, which works through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) to help our fellow countrymen. He said that the agreement reaffirms Mexico’s commitment to continue providing education to Mexicans living abroad, helping them to learn how to read and write or even how to use information technologies, just as President Felipe Calderon proposed early in his administration.

IME Executive Director Javier Diaz de Leon said that addressing the needs of our fellow countrymen outside of our borders is a priority for Mexico and that more resources have been allocated for their education. All of the Mexican consulates in the United States have been instructed to assist migrants with their education. For 22 years the consulates have worked with the Education Ministry to help Mexicans abroad have better opportunities in life.

INEA Director General Juan de Dios Castro said that this agreement strengthens Mexico’s readiness to continue working to improve the lot of the Mexicans residing in the U.S. who want to complete their studies. He reiterated Mexico's commitment to its citizens who live in the U.S., saying "no other country offers the educational and health services that the Mexican government offers to their migrant population."