Mexico's SEP confirms 2026-2027 school calendar and key dates

The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) has officially released the 2026-2027 school calendar for preschool, primary, and secondary education. The cycle begins on August 31, 2026, and concludes on July 9, 2027, encompassing 185 effective school days for public and private institutions within the National Educational System.

Key dates include the first suspension of classes on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in observance of Mexican Independence Day. Other scheduled breaks include holidays for Day of the Dead, Christmas, and Easter. The calendar also outlines several sessions of the School Technical Council (CTE), which are designated for teacher planning and will result in no classes for students.

Amidst the upcoming start of classes, the SEP has issued guidance on school supplies to mitigate inflationary impacts on families, encouraging the reuse of materials and noting that teachers cannot mandate specific brands. However, parents have reported financial difficulties in completing supply lists due to rising costs, particularly for items like sewn notebooks.

Alejandro Águila Argüelles, president of the National Association of Parents (ANPAF), has criticized the current state of education, claiming that the calendar does not address educational gaps and that teachers are increasingly distracted by political and union matters rather than instruction.