Cozumel Starts School Year with Classrooms Closed for 500 Students

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — The 2026-27 school year on the island of Cozumel began Tuesday without a full return to classrooms, leaving about 500 students learning remotely as construction projects at two schools remain unfinished.

Saturnino Magaña Valle, Cozumel’s education director, said authorities are working with the companies responsible for the projects to speed up completion of the pending work.

At the Bernardino Mezo elementary school, a canopy roof is still being installed. Until the work is finished, students will continue taking classes online to avoid the risks associated with construction activity, he explained.

The second affected school is the Militza Pérez López kindergarten, where final inspections of the electrical system are still pending. The temporary suspension of in-person classes is meant to ensure that the building is safe for children and staff.

In contrast, the Jorge México school has fully reopened after crews completed the installation of its canopy. School officials said the campus is clean and ready for students.

Education authorities said they will continue to monitor the construction sites in the coming days and will only authorize a return to classrooms once they can guarantee the safety of the school community.