Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Mexico City (Agenzia Fides) - Currently at a national level, out of 40 million children, six million children between 3 to 7 years of age do not go to school. According to a recent study released by the National Council for the Prevention of Discrimination (Conapre), children are discriminated against on the basis of age and forced to live exclusively within the family, marginalized from the rest of their peers, forced to work, subject to punishment, which are justified as a means of education. In Mexico there are 6.6 million people who speak an indigenous language, 15.8% from 3 years of age and above do not speak Spanish. Among these, 61% are women and 38.3% men. The percentage of children with disabilities is 1.6%, while 6 out of 100 inhabitants by the age of 5 speak an indigenous language. The most widespread are Náhuatl, Maya and Mixtec languages. Conapred said that in order to achieve full education it is necessary to change mindset and strategies. The right to non-discrimination is the basis for ensuring an integral education and respect for human rights. Among Mexicans, 23.5% is not willing, or only in part, to keep disabled people at home. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 19/05/2015)
