Fewer classes, more soccer: Mexico changes school calendar for the World Cup

"Mexico's Ministry of Public Education (SEP) has announced adjustments to this year's school calendar for elementary and high schools across the country, both public and private, due to the World Cup. Although in its official statement the ministry specified that its decision is also due to the high temperatures and extraordinary heat waves, there is no record of this happening before, regardless of the heat waves recorded in other years during Mexico's summer months."

"Just a few minutes after the Secretary of Public Education Mario Delgado's announcement, teachers took to social networks to complain that they had not been taken into account and to warn that it will now be practically impossible to teach the complete curriculum to the more than 29 million students in the country. According to an official statement from the federal government, the measure emerged from a meeting of the National Council of Educational Authorities (Conaedu): Requirements were raised in advance by 10 states, as well as a request presented in working meetings with the National Union of Education Workers [SNTE], it said."

"However, after the changes were announced, dozens of teachers from all over Mexico expressed their displeasure. The changes have also disrupted the plans of parents who coordinate their vacations, work schedules, and daily routines with their children's school dates. I did not support the decision, said one teacher. We have not asked for these changes; do not blame us, wrote two more."

"This type of decision should involve more planning and organization; for months, families, students, and teachers have been organizing activities, vacations, work, and personal commitments based on the official calendar established at the beginning of the school year, said another. Parents consulted about the decision have said it is a change that puts their source of income at risk. It puts me in a complicated situation: what do I do with my children for two months as a working mother? said Ad"

SEP announced changes to the school calendar for elementary and high schools across Mexico, covering both public and private institutions, citing the World Cup and also high temperatures and extraordinary heat waves. The measure was presented as the result of a meeting of the National Council of Educational Authorities, with requirements raised by 10 states and a request developed through working meetings with SNTE. After the announcement by Secretary of Public Education Mario Delgado, teachers posted complaints online, saying they were not consulted and warning that completing the full curriculum for more than 29 million students would be practically impossible. Parents also reported disruptions to vacation planning, work schedules, and daily routines, with some saying the change threatens their income and childcare arrangements.

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