Falling Enrollment Forces Cuts at Tulum Elementary Schools

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A sharp drop in student enrollment is forcing Tulum’s elementary schools, especially afternoon shifts, to merge grades, cut classes, and eliminate dedicated principals, according to local education officials.

Juan Ariel Pat Fernández, supervisor of School Zone 060, said the problem has worsened in recent years, with some schools overhauling their operations due to a lack of students. One school will shrink from nine to five classes next school year after registering only six first-graders and 16 second-graders — numbers too low to maintain the usual academic structure.

As a result, both grades will be combined into a single classroom. The school will also lose its dedicated principal; instead, a teacher will take on administrative duties while still teaching, a move Pat Fernández said creates complications for both teachers and parents.

“The teacher-principal will have to leave the classroom to handle administrative tasks, which affects class continuity,” he said.

Pat Fernández linked the enrollment decline to economic and social factors, including the departure of workers who came for the Tren Maya construction project and the ongoing tourism crisis, which has driven many families to leave Tulum for better opportunities.

The trend is also evident at other schools, such as Octaviano Solís Elementary, which will close a first-grade class due to low enrollment.

While the current problem is low enrollment, Pat Fernández warned that a future rebound could lead to overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of space. The state Education Department has said it can reopen classes and restore principals if enrollment picks up.