Overview
- The SEP’s calendar was published in the Diario Oficial and classes began Monday, August 31, 2026 for preescolar, primaria and secundaria with 185 effective school days.
- The calendar applies to public and private schools incorporated into the Sistema Educativo Nacional while allowing authorized local adjustments and leaving universities, technical bachilleratos and some private schools on separate timetables.
- The first student suspension is set for Wednesday, September 16 for Independence Day and the SEP scheduled eight ordinary Consejo Técnico Escolar (CTE) sessions, starting with September 25 and continuing through June 25, 2027.
- More than 23 million basic‑education students are expected to return after teachers completed a Fase Intensiva (August 24–28), and authorities deployed special security and transit operations to ease the morning return.
- The start of the cycle spotlights implementation challenges for the Nueva Escuela Mexicana, persistent learning gaps, school infrastructure shortfalls, and active debates over cellphone and AI use that could change classroom practice this year.