Sheinbaum Confirms Textbooks Won’t Change Amidst SEP Official’s Dismissal

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is standing firm on the country’s educational policies, declaring that free textbooks will not be altered despite a shakeup within the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). The announcement came as the removal of Marx Arriaga, the official who spearheaded the creation of the controversial textbooks, continues to generate tension within the education sector.

Speaking at the inauguration of an expansion to the National High School Plantel San Pablo del Monte in Tlaxcala on February 14, 2026, Sheinbaum affirmed that the New Mexican School (NEM) remains a central component of the country’s ongoing transformation. She emphasized that the current content will be maintained, while also announcing plans to incorporate the contributions of women throughout history into the textbooks.

“Those books are not going to change and, obviously, the New Mexican School is part of this transformation that we are experiencing,” Sheinbaum stated. “We are going to incorporate something into the textbooks: the women in history.”

The President’s comments arrive amid a period of upheaval at the SEP, marked by the dismissal of Marx Arriaga, who served as Director General of Educational Materials. Arriaga, who designed the free textbooks, was reportedly removed from his position on February 13, 2026.

However, Arriaga maintains that he has not received any official documentation confirming his dismissal and asserts he will remain in his post until formally notified according to legal requirements. He has called for a “Protesta con Propuesta” (Protest with Proposal) and is currently broadcasting live on social media from the offices of the General Directorate of Educational Materials.

According to reports, police attempted to remove Arriaga from the premises on February 13th, but he resisted, stating, “Until they deliver a document requesting my dismissal, in accordance with current labor laws, I remain in office.” He insists his concern isn’t about holding onto the position itself, but about upholding the principles that guided the development of the educational materials during his tenure.

Sheinbaum, during her speech in Tlaxcala, did not directly address the conflict unfolding within the SEP. Instead, she focused on broader educational goals, announcing a plan to create 150,000 new spaces in the National High School system by the end of 2026. These new classrooms will be equipped with computers and offer cultural and sporting activities.

She also unveiled the “Margarita Maza” Cyber High School model, designed to ensure that no young person is denied access to secondary education. The new National High School will offer two certificates: one for general high school studies, allowing students to pursue higher education, and another for technical high school, with certification recognized by a public higher education institution.

In a separate gesture, Sheinbaum marked Valentine’s Day with a message on social media, stating, “Happy day of love and friendship to all. Love overcomes hatred, fear, and even slander.”

The situation with Arriaga and the future of the New Mexican School curriculum remain key issues for Sheinbaum’s administration. The President’s commitment to maintaining the current textbooks, while adding a focus on women’s contributions to history, signals a desire to balance continuity with a progressive agenda. The ongoing protest by Arriaga, however, suggests that internal disagreements within the SEP are far from resolved.