Objective: Bring more young students to university

In the COEPES session, universities and the productive sector agreed to strengthen strategies to expand access to higher education and respond to the growing demand of new generations

The historic boost to upper secondary education in Guanajuato will result in more young Guanajuatenses going to university

Guanajuato/Gto News

“The historic growth in upper secondary education in Guanajuato is ushering in a new era for the State’s education system, expanding the capacity of universities to serve thousands of young students aspiring to continue their professional development”, said the Secretary of Education, Luis Ignacio Sanchez Gomez.

The Secretary chaired the Third Ordinary Session of the General Assembly of the State Commission for Higher Education Planning (COEPES).

The head of the SEG (Secretary off Education off Guanajuato) pointed out that Guanajuato has solidified its position as a national leader, moving from 24th to 12th place in upper secondary education coverage and adding more than 20,000 spots for students who were previously outside the education system.

“Today we face a challenge: to prepare ourselves so that those who are currently in high school can also find a spot in higher education,” the Secretary said to representatives of universities and education institutions.

The indicators presented during the session demonstrate the magnitude of this growth. Currently, Guanajuato registers:

• An enrollment of 268,588 high school students
• 100,144 new students
• An absorption rate of 101.2 percent, meaning that there is now capacity to accommodate virtually all those who complete middle school and wish to continue their studies

At this same education level, the State has strengthened key indicators of retention and enrollment. Enrollment in upper secondary education increased from 74.9 to 78.6 percent, allowing Guanajuato to climb from 21st to 5th place nationally. Furthermore, the dropout rate decreased from 13.3 to 9.4 percent, and the graduation rate rose from 68.9 to 70.3 percent, reflecting that more and more young students are not only entering high school but also remaining in and completing their studies.

This sustained growth in upper secondary education anticipates greater demand for higher education in the coming years. Currently, universities and other higher education institutions in Guanajuato serve a record enrollment of 239,794 students, with 58,788 new students and more than 40,000 graduates, figures that place the State seventh nationally in terms of university enrollment size.

However, the main challenge lies in the transition between the two educational levels, as the higher education enrollment rate is only 61.4 percent.

Given this situation, the State Commission for Higher Education Planning (COEPES) agreed that the growth achieved in upper secondary education represents both an opportunity and a challenge for universities.

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