Free Textbook Delivery Reaches 24 Million Students in Mexico

SEP has completed the distribution of 117.7 million free textbooks for the 2025-2026 school year, which begins on Sept. 1. According to Mario Delgado, Minister of Education, the materials will support 24.1 million students and 1.2 million teachers across the national public education system.

“These materials, aligned with the principles of the New Mexican School (NEM) supported by President Claudia Sheinbaum, will be used nationwide,” said Delgado, outlining the scope of the Commission for Free Textbooks (Conaliteg)’s delivery progress as of July 8.

For the upcoming academic cycle, SEP has set a production target of 155.6 million textbooks and educational materials. Of this total, 154.6 million are scheduled for distribution through over 3,500 continuous transport routes to 229 regional warehouses and 136 collection centers in Mexico City. By June 3, distribution of 82 million primary school books had been completed, with additional volumes covering preschool (9.2 million) and secondary education (26.5 million).

The materials are intended for students in preschool, primary, secondary, remote secondary, and Indigenous education programs. Distribution also includes specialized formats for students with disabilities. For 2025-2026, 12,125 Braille textbooks and 81,450 large-print (Macrotipo) editions will be produced. These are developed at the Braille production facility launched during the current administration, which SEP describes as the largest of its kind in Latin America.

Victoria Guillén, Director General, Conaliteg, noted that under Art. 114, Section XII, of the General Education Law, the responsibility for internal delivery logistics rests with state and Mexico City authorities, not with local school communities. “The delivery process is a joint effort between Conaliteg and local education authorities. Our books reach every community thanks to the involvement of supervisors, and the support of families with a strong sense of social responsibility,” she said.

She also stated that textbook distribution remains on schedule and aligned with national logistics planning, which accounts for regional infrastructure, geography, and climate conditions. The nationwide textbook program remains a central mechanism for providing free and equal access to core educational materials in the public education system.