Due to violence and insecurity, schools in 34 municipalities across seven states in Mexico have had to close their doors, modify their schedules, or resort to online teaching. This data was revealed by the organization Mexicanos Primero, which considers that this situation hinders the right of girls, boys, and adolescents to access education.
During the first 20 weeks of the 2024-2025 school year, it was observed that the most affected states by this problem are Sinaloa, Guerrero, Chiapas, Michoacán, Morelos, Tabasco, and Baja California. In some of these places, schools have had to close intermittently, and families are faced with the decision to send their children to class because of the violence surrounding the schools.
In Sinaloa, the situation is especially critical, as the wave of violence that began in September has led to the closure of schools on various occasions. In municipalities like Culiacán, El Dorado, Concordia, among others, school closures have been recorded in the first weeks of classes due to prevailing violence.
In Chiapas, school closures and absenteeism have been observed in the capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez and 16 other municipalities, especially those with indigenous populations, high poverty rates, and located in border areas. Guerrero has also suffered delays in the start of the school year and prolonged closures in some schools.
On the other hand, Michoacán has reported school closures in several municipalities such as Zinapécuaro, Zitácuaro, Queréndaro, among others. In Baja California, Tabasco, Guanajuato, and Morelos, there have also been impacts on the education system due to insecurity in the vicinity of the schools.
Mexicanos Primero has warned that this crisis not only affects access to education but also leaves deep scars on the socio-emotional development of students. The organization called on authorities to ensure safe school environments and reminded that investing in education is crucial for the safety and future of the country.
In the midst of this national crisis, families are faced with the dilemma of sending their children to at-risk schools or keeping them at home. The organization also highlighted the need to address the emotional aftermath that violence leaves on students, such as the recent case in Culiacán, where two children were murdered, causing emotional impact on their classmates.
