# Mexican Officials Propose Criminalizing School Hazing > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/abuse-in-mexican-rural-teacher-schools > Updated: 2026-09-09T23:50:36.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 8. In late July 2026, reports surfaced of abusive initiation practices, known as ‘novatadas’, at several rural teacher-training schools in Mexico. Following reports of harassment and unsanitary conditions in Campeche and Chiapas, and physical injuries in Saucillo, the situation at the Escuela Normal Rural ‘Carmen Serdán’ in Puebla escalated. Former students there have demanded the school’s closure, citing severe rituals involving beatings, food and water deprivation, and humiliations such as being forced to sleep with dogs. Local authorities report that dozens of students have withdrawn, with 15 investigations active and at least nine arrest warrants issued against student council members. Additionally, student representative lawyer Alejandro Martínez Martínez was detained on charges of dispossession. In Campeche, eighteen students from the Benemérita Escuela Normal Rural ‘Justo Sierra Méndez’ filed formal complaints alleging harassment, intimidation, and threats orchestrated by members of the Student Council. Victims have called for intervention from human rights and educational authorities. In response to these incidents, legislative action has been proposed to address hazing. In Tamaulipas, Gerardo Peña Flores, coordinator of the PAN parliamentary group, proposed amending the state’s Penal Code to criminalize hazing and humiliations that risk student health. The initiative, supported by the PRI and Movimiento Ciudadano, seeks prison sentences of two months to one year, with harsher penalties for incidents involving minors or persons with disabilities. President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected violent hazing practices, stating that educational environments must be free of aggression and expressing openness to further legislation to ensure violent rituals are clearly identified as illegal. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Mexican officials propose criminalizing school hazing Mexican officials are considering new measures to criminalize school hazing following reports of violence in Tamaulipas and Chiapas, with President Sheinbaum calling for violence-free educational spaces. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-officials-propose-criminalizing-school-hazing ### 2026-09-09: Students at Hecelchakán Rural Normal School report harassment and threats Eighteen students at the Justo Sierra Méndez Rural Normal School in Campeche have denounced harassment, threats, and hazing allegedly committed by members of the Student Council and internal groups. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/students-at-hecelchakn-rural-normal-school-report-harassment-and-threats ### 2026-08-31: Students demand closure of Puebla normal school following abuse reports Former students are calling for the closure of the Escuela Normal Rural Carmen Serdán in Puebla, Mexico, following reports of physical abuse and starvation during student initiation rituals. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/students-demand-closure-of-puebla-normal-school-following-abuse-reports ### 2026-08-24: Puebla education ministry bans hazing and addresses school disputes Puebla’s education ministry has banned hazing in teacher training schools and addressed a failed mediation attempt at the Carmen Serdán Normal School following allegations of intimidation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/puebla-education-ministry-bans-hazing-and-addresses-school-disputes ### 2026-08-17: Carmen Serdán Rural Normal School faces hazing allegations A father is calling on the Governor of Puebla to remove his daughter from the Carmen Serdán Rural Normal School following allegations of physical aggression and hazing among students. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/carmen-serdn-rural-normal-school-faces-hazing-allegations ### 2026-08-15: Violence and hazing allegations reported at Mexican rural normal schools Authorities are addressing reports of violence and dangerous hazing practices at rural normal schools in Mexico, including incidents in Saucillo and Teteles de Ávila Camacho. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/violence-and-hazing-allegations-reported-at-mexican-rural-normal-schools ### 2026-07-28: Chiapas Rural Teacher School Initiation Abuse Hospitalizes Student Parents say a novatada at Escuela Normal Rural Mactumactzá in Chiapas denied food, water and bathroom use, causing an 18‑year‑old student severe infection and hospitalization; protests demand education officers 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiapas-rural-teacher-school-initiation-abuse-hospitalizes-student ### 2026-07-24: Abuse and forced desertions reported at Hecelchakán Rural Normal School in Campeche Over 15 new entrants deserted Hecelchakán’s Rural Normal School after alleging harassment, confiscated items and forced signing away of places, prompting calls for state education intervention. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abuse-and-forced-desertions-reported-at-hecelchakn-rural-normal-school-in-campeche --- Cite as: Mexican Officials Propose Criminalizing School Hazing. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/abuse-in-mexican-rural-teacher-schools