INEA Expands Inclusive Education to Over 87,000 Learners

SEP reported that over 87,000 people from priority groups across Mexico are receiving inclusive education services through the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA). The program is aimed at individuals aged 15 and older who have not completed basic education.

“Through INEA, we are promoting inclusive, accessible, and discrimination-free education, benefiting 87,370 people,” said Mario Delgado Carrillo, Minister of Public Education. “This initiative aligns with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s vision of building a humanistic and diverse education system,” added Carrillo. 

The program includes 18,592 individuals learning to read and write, 24,768 enrolled in primary education, and 44,010 in secondary school. INEA services are extended regardless of ethnicity, social status, gender, disability, or other conditions.

INEA's strategy is designed to promote safe learning environments and broaden access to education among historically underserved populations. According to data from INEA’s Directorate of Foresight, Accreditation, and Evaluation, current service coverage includes 2,223 people with disabilities, 8,786 from Indigenous communities, 64,186 older adults, 1,280 migrant agricultural workers, 8,664 individuals in social rehabilitation institutions, 940 people with visual impairments, and 1,291 children under the age of 14 who lack access to formal schooling.

Armando Contreras, Director General, INEA, emphasized that the institute's educational model is centered on diversity and prioritizes inclusion. “Our approach aims to reach all groups, particularly those requiring focused attention: Indigenous and Afro-Mexican populations, people in mobility situations, persons with disabilities, older adults, members of the LGBTQ+ community, incarcerated individuals, migrants, and women,” he said.

INEA’s educational offerings include bilingual Indigenous literacy programs that enable participants to begin learning in their native languages, gradually incorporating Spanish as a second language. Individuals with visual impairments receive adapted materials in Braille, and services are also available in Mexican Sign Language.

The AprendeINEA platform and its Education for Life Model (MEV) provide flexible schedules, accessible materials, and learning options to accommodate the linguistic and physical needs of its learners. These include primary and secondary education through examinations or digital tools available online.

According to SEP, these efforts are part of a broader initiative to eliminate educational gaps in Mexico and provide lifelong learning opportunities to all sectors of the population.