The lack of access to drinking water continues to be a critical problem in public schools in Mexico, especially in vulnerable communities where the scarcity of this resource affects the health, hygiene, and school attendance of thousands of students. On World Water Day, specialists warned that the water crisis not only limits basic activities within schools but also deepens social inequalities, particularly among girls and adolescents. According to Mariel Jiménez Sánchez, Director of Sustainability at Grupo AlEn, the lack of water in marginalized communities forces women and girls to spend several hours a day carrying water, which reduces their time to study and develop. "The lack of water and sanitation directly impacts hygiene, health, and school attendance, especially among adolescents," the specialist stated in an interview with Publimetro. Mariel Jiménez indicated that this issue is replicated in various states across the country, such as Estado de México, Puebla, and Morelos, where the water infrastructure is insufficient or non-existent, leading to even class suspensions or unsanitary conditions in schools. In response to this scenario, civil organizations and companies have promoted solutions such as the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in public schools, with the goal of guaranteeing access to the resource. One of these projects, called "Agua en mi Escuela," has allowed for the implementation of more than 90 systems in 10 states, benefiting over 25,000 people. These systems allow for water storage for basic activities such as handwashing, cleaning facilities, and maintaining green areas, in addition to fostering environmental education among students, teachers, and parents. Despite these advances, specialists agree that the challenge remains to expand coverage and serve more communities, as water scarcity continues to affect the educational development and quality of life for students across the country. Access to water, they emphasize, is not just a basic need but a key factor to guarantee equity, health, and the right to education in Mexico.
