Introduction and Background
Mario Delgado Carrillo, the Secretary of Public Education (SEP), has emphasized that the new academic year will be an opportunity to solidify the New Mexican School (NEM) championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. This initiative aims to transform education into an inclusive and emancipatory process through consultations involving teachers, students, parents, and the community.
Key Figures Involved
During the opening of the 2025-2026 school year at Escuela Secundaria Diurna N°1 “César A. Ruiz” in Mexico City, Delgado Carrillo was accompanied by:
- Clara Brugada Molina: The Head of Government of Mexico City.
- Citlalli Hernández Mora: The Secretary of Women’s Affairs.
Education Reform and Inclusivity
Delgado Carrillo highlighted that the Consejos Técnicos Escolares (CTE) will serve as learning communities and transformative spaces for teaching, where experience informs questions and answers, horizontal dialogue is encouraged, and critical reflection is indispensable. He described the NEM as radical because it returns to humanistic roots, emphasizing love for territory, community, and knowledge.
Scale of the Initiative
On September 1, approximately 29 million students—including 23.5 million in basic education and those pursuing higher education—will return to the third cycle of NEM across 231,600 schools. In addition, 5.6 million students in over 21,100 schools will resume their studies at the upper-secondary level with 424,000 teachers.
Community Engagement
Delgado Carrillo urged parents and guardians to actively participate in their children’s education, emphasizing that their involvement is crucial for building a genuinely participatory school community. He stressed the importance of listening to parents’ concerns, hopes, and voices to foster a school that dialogues with its surroundings, understands its context, and works towards transforming the territory.
Security Measures
Clara Brugada Molina, the Head of Government, announced a security operation involving 15,000 police officers to ensure the safety of students, teachers, administrative staff, and families during the school day.
Gender Equality
Citlalli Hernández Mora, the Secretary of Women’s Affairs, emphasized the importance of recognizing equal rights for men and women. She highlighted that 80% of basic education teachers are women, making them a powerful tool for social transformation. Hernández Mora also announced the distribution of 6 million Cartillas de Derechos de las Mujeres (Women’s Rights Charters) to secondary school students, promoting gender equality and respect.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who initiated the New Mexican School (NEM)? A: The NEM was championed by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.
- Q: What is the goal of the Consejos Técnicos Escolares (CTE)? A: The CTE aims to create learning communities and transformative teaching spaces that encourage horizontal dialogue, critical reflection, and shared experiences.
- Q: How many students are affected by the third cycle of NEM? A: Approximately 29 million students are involved in the third cycle of NEM, including those in basic, upper-secondary, and higher education levels.
- Q: What measures were taken to ensure a safe return to school? A: A security operation involving 15,000 police officers was implemented to safeguard students, teachers, administrative staff, and families.
- Q: What is the significance of distributing Women’s Rights Charters? A: The distribution of 6 million Cartillas de Derechos de las Mujeres promotes gender equality, respect, and non-discrimination in schools.
