The Mexican Education System: The Competency-Based Model, from Industry to Education

Abstract

This article examines the implementation of the competency-based education model in the Mexican educational system, analyzing its origins in the industrial and productive sectors and its subsequent transfer to the field of education. The authors argue that adopting this approach entails profound changes in both teaching practices and students’ learning processes, shifting toward a learner-centered model. The study situates the emergence of competency-based education within Mexico’s transition to a neoliberal and globalized economic framework, which has generated theoretical and conceptual debates regarding its scope and relevance. While the potential benefits of the model are acknowledged—such as the development of problem-solving skills, lifelong learning, and improved job performance—the article warns against reducing education solely to labor-market demands. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of strengthening academic, ethical, and civic competencies. The role of teachers is highlighted as central, requiring appropriate training and professional competencies to effectively implement this approach. The article concludes that competency-based education may contribute to improving educational quality and fostering long-term social and economic development, provided it is applied with respect for Mexico’s cultural, social, and regional contexts.