Mexico City is set to witness substantial changes to its educational admissions process as the government announces the elimination of the COMIPEMS exam starting 2025. This decision, confirmed by President Claudia Sheinbaum during a public event, marks significant reform aimed at ensuring broader access to high school education across the region.
The COMIPEMS exam, previously used as the sole criterion for admission to various high schools and preparatory institutions within Mexico City, evaluated students' proficiency across multiple subjects including mathematics, science, and social studies. Historically, the exam has created barriers for many students who, due to various factors, could not secure their educational future. Sheinbaum emphasized the intent to guarantee the right to education for all students by abolishing the COMIPEMS exam
During her announcement, Sheinbaum reiterated support from major educational institutions such as the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), stating, “This year, there will be no COMIPEMS exam; we will guarantee education for all.” She pledged to work with these institutions to improve the public secondary education system.
The new process to replace the exam is set to be unveiled with the launching of a registration platform, with specific details to be released on February 3rd, 2025. The platform aims to expand access to educational opportunities, with plans for 40,000 new high school spots to be created along with 200,000 nationwide by constructing new schools and upgrading existing facilities.
Critics of the elimination have raised concerns about the impact it might have on educational equality. Daniel Hernández, an academic at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, argued, “The new model is set to favor those who can get to preferred schools quickly, neglecting students who may not have the same resources.” His assessment highlights the inequalities embedded within the new admissions model, emphasizing how economically disadvantaged students may end up relegated to lower-quality schools.
Hernández pointed out the potential shortcomings of the new “first-come, first-served” approach, noting, “This can leave students with fewer resources or access to information at a severe disadvantage.”
Juan Alfonso Mejía, the former Secretary of Public Education for Sinaloa, criticized the government's decision as being reactionary, arguing, “By removing the exam, the fundamental issues of educational quality remain unaddressed. Many students who drop out do so because they feel frustrated or lost.”
Data reveals alarming dropout rates; during the 2022-2023 school year, over 580,000 students abandoned their high school education. Many of these dropouts stemmed from economic barriers, and lack of academic preparedness plays a pivotal role.
Despite these criticisms, the Mexican government insists the elimination of COMIPEMS is necessary to combat the declining educational standards. Paulina Amozurrutia, founder of the organization Education with Direction, stated, “The removal of this exam reflects the government’s recognition of existing deficits within the system, as many students lack the appropriate knowledge to succeed on standardized tests.”
For some, this reform is seen as paving the way for increased inclusivity within educational systems. The president's announcement is part of the wider educational vision outlined on October 1, 2024, which aims to fortify educational rights as fundamental to personal development and societal progress.
To summarize, the removal of the COMIPEMS exam opens avenues for many students but also raises imperative questions about educational equity and quality. With each step forward, significant challenges linger, primarily surrounding the adequacy of educational reforms to genuinely uplift all students — particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Moving forward, stakeholders will be closely watching how the new admissions framework interacts with existing disparities within the educational system and whether it will, in fact, enable greater access to quality education for every student.