Mexico's Northern Zone Faces 860 Unregistered High School Applicants

Around 860 young people in the Zona Norte region of Mexico have not completed registration for high school despite the state education system having enough seats. The subsecretary of Education and Sports for the area, Roberto Anaya Moreno, said that while about 19,800 places were originally planned, more than 22,500 applications were received this year, a surge he linked to the removal of the admission exam and the return of students who had postponed their studies. Conalep officials noted that the CAST center still has over 650 spots available, and the Juárez 1 and Juárez 2 campuses could open additional groups in both morning and evening shifts. A possible third shift at Conalep Juárez 3 could accommodate up to 600 students, extending class hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The diagnostic exam is scheduled for 10 August, with English tests on 11‑12 August, and parents are urged to finalize enrollment. Conalep also signed a partnership with the online platform Prepa In, offering discounted tuition (22‑30 %) and flexible payment plans for students seeking a virtual high‑school option.