Introduction to Mario Delgado and His Role
Mario Delgado Carrillo, the head of Mexico’s Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), has announced the suggested list of minimal and basic school supplies for pre-school, primary, and secondary education for the 2025-2026 academic year. This initiative is part of the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) project, aiming to support families economically while ensuring access to free textbooks and educational materials.
SEP’s Support for Family Economy
Delgado Carrillo emphasized that the suggested list of school supplies will help families manage their expenses. The Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Profeco) will monitor prices and publish the latest edition of the Revista del Consumidor, providing minimum and maximum price ranges for various products needed for the upcoming school year.
Guaranteed Access to Free Textbooks and Educational Materials
The SEP, under Delgado Carrillo’s leadership, guarantees free textbooks and educational materials for all public and private basic education schools across Mexico’s 32 states. This initiative supports President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s educational project, ensuring that school supplies do not become a financial burden for families.
Teacher Discretion in Completing the List
Teachers have the flexibility to add additional tools based on their lesson plans, students’ needs, and each school’s context. However, the priority remains ensuring that all children, adolescents, and young adults have access to education without financial strain.
Suggested School Supplies List
Pre-school Education
Essential materials for pre-school activities include various types of paper, paints, brushes, colored pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, and non-toxic clay. These items will be requested by educators in agreement with families, according to the activities’ requirements.
Primary Education
The suggested school supplies for each grade are as follows:
- First Grade: 2 large grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, craft knife, colored pencils or wax crayons.
- Second Grade: 2 large grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, bi-color pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, craft knife, colored pencils or wax crayons.
- Third Grade: 2 small grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, bi-color pencil, ballpoint pen, pencil sharpener, eraser, craft knife, plastic ruler, colored pencils.
- Fourth Grade: 4 small grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, bi-color pencil, ballpoint pen, highlighter, pencil sharpener, eraser, craft knife, colored pencils box, geometry set.
- Fifth Grade: 4 small grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, bi-color pencil, ballpoint pen, highlighter, pencil sharpener, eraser, craft knife, colored pencils box, geometry set.
- Sixth Grade: 4 small grid notebooks, 1 ruled notebook, bi-color pencil, ballpoint pen, highlighter, pencil sharpener, eraser, craft knife, colored pencils box, geometry set.
Secondary Education
Each of the three grades requires one notebook per subject. Teachers will determine the type of notebook. Additional supplies include pencils, bi-color pencils, ballpoint pens, highlighters, erasers, pencil sharpeners, craft knives, colored pencils boxes, and geometry sets.
Additional Materials for Specific Activities
Teachers will request additional materials for activities related to life skills, physical education, arts, and laboratory practices according to the program’s requirements and in agreement with parents.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the purpose of the suggested school supplies list? The SEP’s suggested list aims to support families economically while ensuring access to free textbooks and educational materials for all basic education levels.
- Who is Mario Delgado Carrillo, and what is his role? Mario Delgado Carrillo is the Secretary of Public Education (SEP) in Mexico, responsible for overseeing educational policies and initiatives.
- How will Profeco contribute to this initiative? Profeco will monitor prices of school supplies and publish the Revista del Consumidor, providing minimum and maximum price ranges for various products needed for the upcoming school year.
- Can teachers add more items to the suggested list? Yes, teachers can suggest additional tools based on their lesson plans, students’ needs, and each school’s context.
- What is the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) project? The NEM is an educational project led by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, focusing on modernizing and improving Mexico’s public education system.
