Women’s Care Coalition Rejects Early End to School Year in Mexico

Mexico City — A coalition of women’s rights and care advocacy groups has rejected the federal government’s decision to end the 2025-2026 school year early, arguing the move fails to consider the impact on caregivers, particularly women.

The Coalition for the Right to Dignified Care and One’s Own Time for Women called on authorities to review the school calendar with a gender perspective and a focus on the rights of children and adolescents.

The group’s statement comes after the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) announced that classes would conclude on June 5, citing intense heat and the upcoming World Cup. Critics say the shortened calendar places an undue burden on families, especially mothers who often bear primary caregiving responsibilities.

“Ending the school year early without adequate support measures disproportionately affects women, who are the main caregivers in most households,” the coalition said in a statement. “We demand that the government consider the real needs of families before making such decisions.”

The coalition urged the SEP to implement policies that ensure children’s educational continuity and provide support for working parents, such as extended daycare hours or flexible work arrangements.