Mexico education ministry resumes talks with CNTE amid school‑year closure risk

Secretary of Education Mario Delgado announced that the federal government has reopened negotiations with the Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación (CNTE). The dialogue, begun at 13:30 on the announcement day, includes Governor‑General Rosa Icela Rodríguez, representatives of ISSSTE and the SEP, and seeks concrete agreements so that the 2024‑2025 school cycle can close without further interruption for more than 20 million students.

The CNTE continues to demand higher wages, pension reforms and the repeal of the 2007 ISSSTE law, which the government says would jeopardize public finances. While some demands have been addressed, officials stress that abrogating the ISSSTE law is not feasible. Parallel pressure comes from student occupations, such as the peaceful takeover of the IES Pomán in Saujil, where students said, “Nosotros exigimos estudiar,” demanding the appointment of vacant teaching posts.

The SEP also called on striking teachers to return to classrooms to ensure the timely delivery of final exams, grades and certifications. Both sides stress that the outcome will affect the right to education for millions of Mexican children and adolescents.