• Mexico's education authorities will keep the school calendar unchanged for the 2025-2026 year.
• The original school year will end on July 15, not June 5 as previously proposed.
• The decision follows backlash from parents and think tanks concerned about educational disruptions.

Mexico’s education authorities have decided to maintain the original school calendar, concluding on July 15, 2025, after initially proposing an early end to accommodate the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Education Minister Mario Delgado announced the reversal following widespread criticism from parents and local officials concerned about potential disruptions to students’ education, as well as childcare issues associated with an early summer break, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The initial announcement to finish classes several weeks early, citing a combination of an "extraordinary heatwave" and the World Cup, sparked outrage. Parents argued that shortening the school year would reduce effective learning time for millions of students, which was emphasized by education think tank Mexico Evalua, highlighting that the alteration would impact approximately 23.4 million students negatively, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.

After further consultations with stakeholders, including parents and educational experts, the Mexican government reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the traditional academic calendar. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who expressed skepticism about the proposed changes, stated that the goal was to reach a consensus on the decision, according to Reuters and BBC.