Mexico's Education Secretariat defends 15 million peso 'coaching' courses for officials

The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) has defended its decision to spend up to 15 million pesos on courses for its officials, including personal image, "coaching," and ego development. The SEP stated these courses are part of its 2026 Annual Training Program and stem from an institutional needs assessment across 38 administrative units.

EL UNIVERSAL previously reported that the SEP contracted private companies for these services, alongside training in negotiation strategy, interpersonal relations, and Excel. Over 2,000 central department employees are expected to participate.

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The training actions aim to strengthen and update the knowledge, skills, and competencies of public servants to improve the performance of their functions and the attention to institutional attributions.

The SEP insists the training aims to strengthen and update officials' knowledge, skills, and competencies to improve their performance and institutional service. They claim the process adheres to federal public administration regulations and anticorruption guidelines.

Officials also noted that the contract includes minimum and maximum amounts, with resource allocation tied to actual needs and participation numbers. The SEP reiterated that the funds are intended to professionalize public servants and meet institutional objectives, emphasizing legality, efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

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The SEP reiterates that the resources allocated to these actions are intended to strengthen the professionalization of public servants and contribute to the fulfillment of the dependency's institutional objectives, in accordance with the principles of legality, efficiency, transparency, and accountability that govern the exercise of public resources.