Sheinbaum again rejects meeting with CNTE; directs SEP and Segob to address teachers

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has once again ruled out meeting directly with the dissident teachers' union CNTE, insisting that their demands should be addressed by the Ministry of Interior (Segob) and the Ministry of Public Education (SEP).

When questioned about the union's persistent calls for a dialogue with her, Sheinbaum reiterated, "In any case, there is the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education." The CNTE has been engaged in a national strike and protests in Mexico City for over two weeks. Their core demands include the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, which reformed pensions, and improved retirement and social security conditions for educators.

This ongoing conflict poses a significant risk to the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year for roughly 1.4 million basic education students. With less than a month remaining in the current term, the strike has led to the closure of thousands of schools. Data from the SEP indicates that Oaxaca is the most severely affected state, with over 10,000 schools shut down. Chiapas, Zacatecas, Guerrero, and Michoacán are also experiencing widespread disruption to educational activities due to the protests.

The CNTE's actions highlight deep-seated discontent among teachers regarding labor rights and social security provisions. The government's stance, deferring direct engagement to specific ministries, suggests a strategy of managing the conflict through established bureaucratic channels rather than high-level political negotiation.

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In any case, there is the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education.