Baja California keeps militarized high schools open despite SEP closure order

The government of Baja California announced it will maintain its two militarized preparatory schools in Tijuana and Tecate for the 2026‑2027 academic year, defying a directive from Mexico’s Secretariat of Education (SEP) that ordered the shutdown of all militarized schools nationwide. The SEP’s order followed the femicide of student Dafne Zapata at a camp in Tamaulipas and cited the lack of a legal basis for militarized education.

State officials argue the campuses operate under a civil framework, emphasizing discipline, values and physical training, and are supervised by retired military personnel. Secretary of Security Laureano Carrillo Rodríguez said the term “militarized” merely denotes a focus on discipline. The two schools serve a total of 572 students and combine the standard high‑school curriculum with activities such as marching band and physical conditioning.

The SEP, led by Secretary of Education Mario Delgado, maintains that the militarized model has no legal support and should be closed, while Baja California asserts its schools are exempt and will continue to function.