Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Despite slight progress, the region’s educational lag remains stubbornly high years after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the vice president of the National Association of Parents of Family, Sergio Acosta Manzanero.
Acosta said the learning deficit has dropped only two percentage points, from 40 points immediately after the pandemic to 38 points at the close of the current school year. He called for stronger strategies to accelerate improvement.
The parents’ group is pushing two main initiatives: encouraging families to enroll children in academic reinforcement programs during the summer break, particularly in math and reading comprehension — identified as subjects where primary and secondary students show the greatest deficiencies — and advocating for a state law to restrict cellphone use in classrooms.
“Parents should prioritize learning — not just recreation — during these vacations,” Acosta said, urging enrollment in tutoring centers that focus on core subjects.
On the cellphone issue, the association is working with local lawmakers to revive a bill currently stalled in committee that would regulate mobile devices during school hours. The group argues that limiting phone use would help students concentrate and absorb material more effectively.
