The National Parents’ Union (UNPF) in Mexico has presented a petition with a staggering 112,594 signatures to the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), demanding an immediate halt to the distribution of school books slated for use in the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, which commences on August 28.
The primary reason for their demand is the inclusion of sexualized and gender ideology content within these materials without any consultation with parents.
Voices Gathered through Digital Platforms
These signatures were collected through digital platforms like CitizenGO and were subsequently handed over to the SEP by various social organizations, led by the UNPF.
The CitizenGO campaign asserted that the printing and distribution of these educational materials should cease immediately, as parents and the broader educational community were not consulted regarding their content, as stipulated by Article 48 of the General Education Law.
Allegations of Illegality and Calls for Legal Compliance
According to the National Parents’ Union, the actions of the federal government, responsible for these textbooks, are in violation of the law, as they unilaterally altered the textbook content without involving parents as required by regulations.
The organization demands that relevant authorities respect and adhere to the law.
Controversy Surrounding Mexican Government-Developed Textbooks
The new school textbooks developed by the Mexican government under the leadership of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador have sparked widespread criticism.
Parents, opposition politicians, and the media have expressed concerns about the sexualized content and the introduction of a gender ideology bias, coupled with pedagogical errors.
A Legal Battle Unfolds
Furthermore, the parents’ petition insists on the enforcement of a ruling from the Third District Court in Administrative Matters in Mexico City.
In late May, the court decreed the definitive suspension of the distribution of these contentious school textbooks following a request for an injunction made by the UNPF.
This decree mandates the SEP and the National Commission for Free Textbooks to halt the printing and distribution of educational materials and to develop a strategy that aligns with approved programs for the 2023-2024 school year.
The UNPF justifies this suspension by emphasizing the legitimate interest that parents have in their children’s education, particularly in light of the educational challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SEP’s Response and State-Level Actions
However, the SEP has contested the ruling’s enforceability.
They argue that there is no legal impediment to continue distributing the material since the ruling is not yet final, and they plan to file a legal appeal.
Meanwhile, several state governments, including Guanajuato, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Jalisco, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, Yucatán, and Nuevo León, have chosen to suspend book deliveries while awaiting resolution of the ongoing litigation.
Commitment to Quality Education
In conclusion, the National Parents’ Union remains steadfast in its commitment to the education of students from preschool to high school.
Their demand is for high-quality textbooks, materials, and programs that adhere to pedagogical methodology, competencies, skills, and are developed in consultation with parents, as mandated by law.
This ongoing conflict underscores the importance of involving parents in shaping the educational materials used to teach their children.
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