Students in Mexico will get a brief reprieve from their studies as the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) announces a nationwide break for all preschool, primary, and secondary school students. This hiatus will take place on Friday, March 28, 2025, due to the scheduled session of the Consejo Técnico Escolar (CTE). This break extends through the weekend, as students will not return to the classroom until Monday, March 31.
The CTE meeting, which serves as an opportunity for educators to assess student needs and collaboratively design educational strategies, occurs on the last Friday of each month. In a statement regarding this scheduling, the SEP aims to create a space for teachers to share experiences and develop strategies to help all students reach their maximum potential.
As schools prepare for this coming break, parents and students alike are reminded of the upcoming Semana Santa (Holy Week) vacation period. These holidays will run from April 14 to April 25, 2025, rounding out a month filled with days off for families to engage in the many religious and cultural celebrations associated with the season.
The decision to include these breaks in the academic calendar, especially the Holy Week holidays, has its roots in the deep religious fabric of Mexican society. Observations reveal that many families in Mexico observe these traditions, often involving significant community events and gatherings. This practice dates back to the post-independence period in the 19th century when the school calendar was adjusted to allow for noticeable religious festivities, as recounted by educational historians.
In 1966, a landmark change occurred when then Secretary of Public Education, Agustín Yáñez, implemented a unique academic calendar that introduced three official breaks: winter, Semana Santa, and summer. This adjustment was meant not only to accommodate religious observances but also to align educational policies with national cultural practices.
Moreover, this year, in addition to the CTE break and the Semana Santa holidays, students will also be free from classes during other significant observances. Notably, there will be a mandatory holiday on Thursday, May 1, 2025, for Día del Trabajo (Labor Day), followed by another break on May 5, 2025, for the Batalla de Puebla.
The schedule for the upcoming Consejo Técnico Escolar sessions has also been released, giving parents and educators notice about the planned interruptions in instructional time. Aside from the day-off on March 28, the SEP has planned nine additional sessions of the CTE during the 2024-2025 school year, including dates in September, October, November, December, January, February, April, May, and June. Educators will use these meetings to focus on crucial issues such as curriculum design and pedagogical improvements.
As families prepare for these upcoming breaks, it is essential for them to understand the historical context and the significance behind these traditions. Understanding that the school year is structured around communal and religious celebrations can provide families greater joy and clarity during these times.
In summary, while students will enjoy a short holiday at the end of March, all eyes are directed towards the upcoming Semana Santa festivities. Parents should be aware that following the Easter holidays, students are expected back in the classroom on Monday, April 28, 2025, as the school year continues towards its conclusion on July 16, 2025.
