Mexico SEP promotes permanent school health strategy

Mexico's Secretary of Public Education, Mario Delgado Carrillo, has emphasized the need to integrate school health as a permanent practice within the National Educational System. Speaking at a national congress in Chiapas, Delgado highlighted the progress of the ‘Vive saludable, vive feliz’ strategy, an initiative promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

Over the past year, the program has conducted health assessments for more than 10.8 million students in over 83,000 public primary schools. These evaluations focused on weight, height, visual health, and dental care. Findings indicated significant health challenges, with 50% of students facing weight and height issues, 60% having cavities, and 40% presenting visual deficiencies.

The strategy aims to move beyond extraordinary interventions to establish a culture of prevention involving families, schools, and health authorities. This is being integrated into the ‘Nueva Escuela Mexicana’ framework to link classroom learning with physical, mental, and social health practices.

In the State of Mexico, preparations for the 2026-2027 school year are underway to support over 4.2 million students. This includes the distribution of textbooks, school supplies, and furniture, alongside security and prevention protocols. Meanwhile, local initiatives in Apetatitlán and San Cristóbal de las Casas continue to support students through supply deliveries and inclusion training for educators.