Parents Oppose Early School Year End in Mexico
Parents in Mexico have expressed criticism over a plan to conclude the school year a month early to accommodate increased travel during the FIFA World Cup this summer.
Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced that the school year would end on 5 June, leaving parents nationwide with less than four weeks to arrange additional childcare.
Following objections from parents' and employers' associations, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared to soften the announcement, describing it as a "proposal".
Mexico, along with the US and Canada, is scheduled to host the international football tournament from 11 June to 19 July.
Reasons for Early School Year Conclusion
Delgado's announcement on Thursday cited both elevated traffic due to the World Cup and extreme heat forecast to affect the Latin American nation as factors in the decision to end the school year early, which he said was made "unanimously" with individual states.
The official start of the next academic year would remain 31 August, he said, adding that two weeks of "strengthening" learning would take place leading up to that date to ensure students did not fall behind.
Parental and Organizational Backlash
The sudden change of schedule prompted immediate anger from parents.
"The children are currently in the middle of their evaluations, and they've already been told that they'll be evaluated based on whatever they have. What kind of response is that?" one parent told Mexican newspaper El Universal.
"They want the city empty for the tourists, and we're left wondering what we'll eat," another was quoted as saying, noting the cost of summer activities.
The National Union of Parents condemned the "unilateral decision", describing the use of the World Cup to cancel classes as "inexcusable".
"The matches will only be held in three cities," it said in a statement. "Why affect almost 23 million students under this absurd pretext?"
Meanwhile, Coparmex, an association of business owners, stated that the sudden alteration would create uncertainty for employees and employers alike.
It called for individual states to implement their own arrangements to accommodate heatwaves and travel disruption while lessening the impact on the economy.
State Governments Respond
Despite claims of unanimity, the governments of three states—two of which are hosting World Cup matches—spoke out against the plan, with one stating it would adhere to the original school year schedule.
President Sheinbaum Recasts the Proposal
In response to criticism, Sheinbaum used her daily news conference on Friday to present the announcement as subject to further review.
"Since many Mexicans like soccer and are following the World Cup, this proposal was made to bring forward the holidays," the Mexican president said. "But the school days of the girls and boys also have to be taken into consideration.
So, it's a proposal. The full schedule isn't ready yet, and we're going to wait until it's definitively decided."
She added that the idea originated from teachers' unions and individual states' education secretaries, rather than being initiated by the central government.
Security Concerns Ahead of the World Cup
Mexico's role as joint host of the football tournament has already encountered complications.
A crackdown on violent drug cartels earlier this year, which led to the killing of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel, sparked a wave of violence across the country from members and sympathizers, raising safety concerns.
Among the host cities is Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state and the epicenter of the violence.
Sheinbaum has emphasized there is "no risk" to visiting football fans, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated he felt "very reassured". Mexico plans to deploy thousands of security personnel to the streets during the tournament.
