Visiting States with President Claudia Sheinbaum
Mario Delgado Carrillo, the Secretary of Public Education (SEP), accompanied President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo this weekend to the states of Puebla, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Michoacán, and the Federal District (Mexico City).
Key Highlights of the Visit
- Reaffirmation of Mexico’s commitment to education as a cornerstone for national transformation.
- Emphasis on education’s role in building a more equitable and inclusive country.
- Highlighting the achievements in education during the first year of this administration as evidence of the success of the Fourth Transformation.
Education as a Pathway to Equity and Inclusion
Delgado Carrillo emphasized that education is the most suitable route to build a more equitable and inclusive nation. He reiterated that the results achieved so far demonstrate that education is a key ally for attaining well-being and social justice within the Fourth Transformation.
The SEP head mentioned that President Sheinbaum stressed, in each state visited, the importance of public, free, lay, and quality education as a constitutional right and a priority for her administration. She highlighted that social programs, educational scholarships, free textbook distribution, and improved school infrastructure are essential tools to ensure equal opportunities across the country.
Educational Achievements in Each State
- Puebla: Over 600,000 secondary students receive the Universal Scholarship Rita Cetina; 300,000 benefit from the Universal Scholarship Benito Juárez; and 29,455 students are part of the Young Writers of the Future scholarship program. The La Escuela es Nuestra (LEEN) program reaches over 4,000 basic education schools and 615 preparatorian schools, benefiting nearly 700,000 students. New Bachillerato National campus construction and expansion of an existing preparatorian school are underway to provide more spaces for Upper Secondary Education.
- Tlaxcala: Focus on strengthening scholarships for basic, upper secondary, and higher education students, increasing coverage and reducing school dropout rates. The LEEN policy was recognized for its role in improving school infrastructure and fostering community participation.
- Hidalgo: Over 2,000 schools have benefited from the LEEN program, impacting nearly 164,000 students. More than 400,000 children, adolescents, and young adults receive the Bienestar Scholarship, and a new Bachillerato National campus is planned for Tizayuca, creating 450 additional educational spaces.
- San Luis Potosí: Over 170,000 students benefit from the Bienestar Scholarships. The LEEN program has attended 2,511 schools with an investment exceeding 601.9 million pesos. Construction of the CBTA No. 196 expansion began, reinforcing the commitment to making education a right for everyone.
- Querétaro: President Sheinbaum reaffirmed her support for the national teaching community and announced the continuation of improving teachers’ working conditions, crucial for consolidating the New Mexican School (NEM) and ensuring relevant, high-quality teaching-learning processes.
- Michoacán: The NEM was highlighted as a model educational approach integrating science, humanities, and values to form critical, responsible, and community-engaged citizens.
- Federal District (Mexico City): Parents, families, and school communities were encouraged to continue participating in strengthening the national education system through accompanying school processes and direct collaboration with educational authorities.
Community Engagement and Support
Delgado Carrillo mentioned that over 100,000 people participated in the activities during the visit, reflecting public support for an education-centered public policy project and reinforcing the people’s role as transformative agents.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Mario Delgado Carrillo? A: He is the Secretary of Public Education (SEP) in Mexico.
- Q: What was the purpose of the visit with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo? A: The visit aimed to reaffirm Mexico’s commitment to education as a cornerstone for national transformation and highlight educational achievements during the first year of this administration.
- Q: What educational initiatives were emphasized during the visit? A: Scholarships, free textbooks, improved school infrastructure, and the La Escuela es Nuestra (LEEN) program were highlighted as essential tools for ensuring equal educational opportunities.
- Q: How many students benefited from scholarship programs in the visited states? A: Over 600,000 students in Puebla; 300,000 in Puebla with the Benito Juárez scholarship; 29,455 in the Young Writers of the Future program; more than 170,000 in San Luis Potosí; over 400,000 in Hidalgo; and numerous others across all visited states.
