Education Reform Opens Public High Schools in Mexico City to All

The Mexican government is removing admission exams for public high schools in the Mexico City metropolitan area, aiming to ensure universal access to upper secondary education. The policy, part of the “National High School for All: My Right, My Place!" national initiative, was presented by Mario Delgado, Minister of Education. 

The change will take effect after the conclusion of the Metropolitan Commission of Public Higher Secondary Education Institutions (COMIPEMS) selection process. A new registration platform will launch on Feb. 14, 2025 allowing students to apply for up to 10 schools based on location and preference. By May, students will have a guaranteed placement, say authorities.

Delgado says that this initiative is designed to prevent young people from being excluded from the education system. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with families, teachers, universities, and community stakeholders to provide students with both academic and social support.

Despite the removal of the general admission exam, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México  (UNAM) and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) will retain an entrance test due to their internal regulations. However, for the 2025-2026 academic year, the two institutions will introduce a unified exam, conducted online, with additional support for students requiring accommodations. The registration process will include biometric data collection to ensure security.

As part of the reform, the government plans to consolidate 32 different high school subsystems into two: a general and a technological track. Students will receive both a high school diploma and a certification in a professional or technical field from higher education institutions such as UNAM, IPN, the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM), and the National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM).

The initiative also includes infrastructure improvements. This includes building 20 new high schools and expanding 65 existing ones across the country. In the State of Mexico, seven new high schools will be built in municipalities such as Ecatepec, Nezahualcoyotl, and Texcoco, while 10 middle schools without an evening shift will be converted into high schools.

Education officials highlight that this transformation involves extensive collaboration among educators, universities, and local governments. The move is part of broader efforts to ensure access to education, reduce inequality, and improve academic standards across the country.