World Cup Chaos: School Year Cut Short Sparks Outrage in Mexico

Parents in Mexico have criticized a plan to shorten the school year by a month to accommodate increased travel during the FIFA World Cup this summer. Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced the school year would end on June 5, leaving parents with less than four weeks to arrange childcare. After objections from parents' and employers' associations, President Claudia Sheinbaum described the announcement as a "proposal." Mexico, along with the US and Canada, is set to host the international football tournament from June 11 to July 19. Delgado cited increased traffic and extreme heat as factors in the decision, which he said was made "unanimously" with individual states. The official start of the next academic year would remain August 31, but two weeks of "strengthening" learning would take place beforehand. The sudden change caused immediate anger from parents. The National Union of Parents condemned the "unilateral decision," calling the use of the World Cup to cancel classes "inexcusable." Coparmex, a business owners' association, said the change would create uncertainty. Despite claims of unanimity, governments of three states spoke out against the plan. Sheinbaum has since recast the announcement as subject to further review, stating the proposal came from teachers' unions and education secretaries. Mexico's role as host has already faced complications due to violence. Sheinbaum has stressed there is "no risk" to visiting fans, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed