Although the Full-Time School program is disappearing at the federal level, it will remain in Mexico City to support students and their families, this Friday announced the head of the capital’s government, Claudia Sheinbaum.

The local president said the program’s operations would continue on his own resources – he did not specify a number – and in coordination with federal education authorities.

“We will maintain a Full Time School in the city. We work with our own resources. Obviously, the Ministry of Education and Culture is participating, because the most important thing is the teaching staff. We have spoken with the Ministry of General Education and in particular with the Federal Education Authority,” he said at a press conference.

#EnVivo ️ The #Head of government held a press conference after the Water Workbench at the Xochimilco Mayor’s Office. He was accompanied by the General Coordinator @SacmexCDMX and the mayor @XochimilcoAl. https://t.co/0n6ry6RBxB

– Government CDMX (@GobCDMX) March 4, 2022

According to Sheinbaum, in Mexico City there are 500 schools in the Full-Time School program and about a thousand with so-called extended days.

The head of government said that the educational aspects needed to continue the program would be attended by the SEP. Anything related to the offer of hot meals for the students will fall to the capital’s government, which plans to provide resources directly to the mother and father of the family.

Program details

The Full-Time School Program began operating in 2006. The government of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which started in December 2018, initially said it would keep it, but has gradually drawn on resources until it recently disappeared.

It transfers those resources to its program La Escuela es Nuestra, which focuses on educational infrastructure concerns. However, the Federation Superior Audit (ASF) detected in its review of the 2020 Public Accounts that there was no clarity on the purpose of one out of every two budget pesos assigned to it.

The disappearance of Full Time School has drawn criticism. Civil organizations and parents point out that it is a well-reviewed program that has helped improve students’ academic performance.