Mothers and fathers protest school year cut for 2025-2026; 'Where will I take my other child?', they ask

The Secretariat of Public Education's (SEP) decision to abruptly end the 2025-2026 school year on June 5 has ignited widespread frustration among Mexican parents. This move, perceived as a significant cut to educational time, is seen not only as detrimental to students' learning but also as a major disruption to the daily lives and economic stability of countless households.

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Los niños están ahorita a medias evaluaciones y ya les dijeron que con lo que tengan los van a evaluar. ¿Qué clase de respuesta es esa? A nadie le preguntaron.

Parents like Andrea Pugua voice deep concerns, questioning the educational validity of evaluating students with incomplete assessments and highlighting the existing learning gaps that have persisted since the pandemic. The sentiment is that this decision was made without adequate consultation, leaving families scrambling to arrange childcare for weeks that were previously part of the academic calendar. The worry about children being left unsupervised or without constructive activities is palpable, especially for families who cannot afford private summer programs or nannies.

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¿A dónde voy a poner a mi otro hijo? Ya tiene 14 años, ya no entra en cursos de verano y tampoco puedes tenerlos en la calle por el riesgo que implica.

Furthermore, the SEP's justification, citing heat and the 2026 World Cup, has been met with indignation. Critics argue that educational priorities should not be sacrificed for sporting events or weather concerns, especially when many students are already struggling with foundational knowledge. The pandemic's impact on learning is still being felt, and shortening the school year is seen as counterproductive to recovery efforts.

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¡Mi hijo no sabe las tablas! El problema viene desde primaria. No los reprobaban y mandaron niños a secundaria sin estar preparados.

From a Mexican perspective, this decision raises critical questions about resource allocation and the government's commitment to public education. Many families rely heavily on public schools not just for education but also as a stable environment for their children during working hours. The early closure places an additional strain on parents, particularly those in lower-income brackets, who lack the financial flexibility to manage extended periods without school. The outcry reflects a broader concern that the educational system is not adequately addressing the needs of its students and their families, prioritizing other events over consistent learning.

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Si tuviéramos dinero los metemos a una particular o les ponemos maestros. Pero no lo tenemos. Tenemos que atenernos a las escuelas públicas.