Congress calls for reinforced protocols to combat school bullying; demands guarantee of safe student environment

Mexico's Congress has approved a measure urging the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) and educational authorities across all 32 states to bolster comprehensive strategies for preventing and addressing school bullying and violence. This initiative, developed in coordination with school communities, aims to reinforce the "Safe School Environments" framework.

Legislators emphasized the importance of respecting human rights and the best interests of children in fostering safe, inclusive, and violence-free environments. According to the 2022 National Survey on Discrimination (ENADIS), approximately 28.5% of individuals aged 12 to 17 in Mexico have experienced some form of school bullying or violence within their educational settings.

The National Education System serves over 34 million students in 258,000 public and private institutions, highlighting the necessity for continuous risk prevention and response actions. The SEP's "Safe School Environments" strategy promotes shared responsibility among educational authorities, families, and school communities to prevent risk factors and cultivate a culture of peace both inside and outside school grounds.

This strategy is described as an institutional mechanism that unifies guidelines, protocols, and general observance actions to ensure educational centers are safe, healthy, and inclusive spaces. It prioritizes preventive measures and comprehensive protection without infringing on fundamental rights without legal basis. Congress deemed it essential to urge the SEP and state authorities to strengthen these actions, ensuring students have a secure school environment.