Mexico Ends School Year Early Amid World Cup Preparations

Mexico's Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced on Friday that the school year will end on June 5, 40 days early, due to a heat wave impacting several states and preparations for the World Cup. The tournament, hosted jointly by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, kicks off on June 11.

The decision has sparked broad backlash, with parents expressing concerns about finding and paying for additional childcare during the summer break. The Mexico Evalua public policy think tank warned that the move will affect over 23.4 million students, reducing learning time and exacerbating existing educational underachievement and inequalities.

The Coparmex business association called the decision 'hasty' and warned of disruptions to families' schedules and subsequent impacts on labor. Officials in Jalisco state, run by opponents of President Claudia Sheinbaum, said they will not comply with the decision and keep schools open until June 30 as originally scheduled.

The immediate next steps include a possible revision of the academic calendar, with authorities considering moving up the start of the next academic year, currently scheduled for August 31. The court is not involved in this decision, but the government will likely face further criticism and backlash from affected parties.