Access to higher education as a human right: comparison between Argentina and Mexico

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze access to higher education as a human right by comparing the Argentine and Mexican higher education system (HES). The scope of the human right to higher education is analyzed by means of the international regulatory framework and observations by United Nations special rapporteurs on the matter. Based on regulatory analysis and state conduct, both Argentina and Mexico have adopted the human right to higher education in their regulations, however, in practice, Mexico shows itself to face many challenges regarding the guarantee for this right under equal opportunity conditions. In 2014, it was seen that more than 70% of the higher education enrolment was formed by people who belonged to the two highest income quintiles, while less than 14% of the people were in the two lowest income quintiles. Both countries must heed observations made recently by United Nations committees in order to improve the guarantee for the human right to higher education. Nevertheless, Mexico is the country that should generate better conditions to enforce the enjoyment of this right.