Mexico's school year cut short as states clash over June 5 end date

Mexico’s Education Ministry (SEP) has announced a change to the 2025–2026 school year, moving the final day of classes to June 5. The decision has sparked opposition from several states, including Guanajuato and Jalisco, which refuse to adopt the earlier end date.

The shift reduces the remaining school days from 45 to just 17 before summer break, raising concerns about lost instructional time. The SEP’s directive to shorten the academic year has led to mixed responses across the country. Aguascalientes agreed to comply, setting June 5 as the last day of classes. Chihuahua also adjusted its calendar, ending lessons on the same date but planning reinforcement sessions from August 17 to 28 to cover missed material.

In contrast, Nuevo León Governor Samuel García Sepúlveda rejected the change outright. The state will keep its original schedule, with classes continuing until June 19. Jalisco followed a similar path, maintaining its planned end date of June 30.

Guanajuato Governor Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo publicly criticised the SEP’s move. She called on federal authorities to reconsider, arguing that the shortened term would harm students’ education. The SEP’s decision has created a divide among states, with some accepting the new timeline and others resisting it. While Aguascalientes and Chihuahua have adjusted their schedules, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Nuevo León will keep their original end dates. The outcome means students in different regions will now finish the school year on varying dates.