State of Mexico Will Build New Education Infrastructure

The Mexican government has launched a comprehensive education initiative targeting the eastern region of the State of Mexico, one of the country’s most densely populated and underserved urban areas, according to President Claudia Sheinbaum. The plan includes the creation of over 10,000 new spots in upper-secondary and higher education, the construction of new technological high schools, and the establishment of university campuses in key municipalities. 

The Programa Integral para el Oriente del Estado de México (Comprehensive Program for Eastern State of Mexico) seeks to improve public services in municipalities such as Chalco, Chimalhuacan, Ecatepec, Ixtapaluca, Nezahualcoyotl, and Texcoco, areas that collectively represent some of the highest levels of urban poverty in the country, according to Sheinbaum

“The municipalities have their own resources, as does the state, but the area has never been addressed in a comprehensive manner,” says Sheinbaum.

Mario Delgado, Mexico’s Minister of Public Education, says that the plan includes the construction of 10 new technological high schools. Locations confirmed for 2025 include Chalco, Chimalhuacan, Ecatepec, Ixtapaluca, Nezahualcoyotl, and Texcoco. An additional four campuses are scheduled to open in 2026 in Chicoloapan, La Paz, Tlalnepantla, and Valle de Chalco.

Moreover, four existing secondary schools in Chalco, Chimalhuacan, Ecatepec, and Ixtapaluca will be converted to technological high schools during the evening shift, further increasing access. The federal government has allocated MX$3 billion (US$150 million) to fund these efforts, with infrastructure support from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation (SICT).

The curriculum at the new schools will be aligned with regional and national development goals. For example, programs in Chimalhuacan will focus on business intelligence, AI, urban planning, and sustainable development. Ecatepec will offer specializations in nanotechnology and cybersecurity, while Texcoco will concentrate on agricultural production systems.

The initiative also includes the expansion of higher education institutions, explains Rosaura Ruíz, Head, Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI). SECIHTI, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), is working with local universities to establish a university campus in each municipality. These campuses will be operated under the Rosario Castellanos and Benito Juárez university systems.

Two Rosario Castellanos academic units are operational in Chalco and Chimalhuacan, in addition to a remote learning center serving other students in the area. Investments for these campuses include MX$52 million (US$2.6 million) in Chalco and MX$18 million (US$900,000) in Chimalhuacan.