Secretaría de Educación Pública: Everything you need to know

Who am I to talk to you about the Ministry of Public Education (SEP)? Well, let me start by saying that I am neither an academic locked in an ivory tower nor a bureaucrat behind a desk. I am Rubén Águila, someone who, thanks to my years of experience as a student, teacher, and educational consultant, has had the honor (and sometimes the pain) of interacting with this institution on multiple fronts. Here I will explain, clearly and directly, what the SEP is, what it does, and why it is fundamental to Mexico's development.

What is the Secretariat of Public Education (SEP)?

The SEP is the heart of the Mexican educational system, created in 1921 by presidential decree under the visionary leadership of José Vasconcelos. Its main purpose is to guarantee access to quality education for all Mexicans, from basic to higher education. What does this mean in simple words? That the SEP not only dictates school programs and designs textbooks, but also regulates, supervises and coordinates all public and private education in the country.

And watch out here: this includes preschool through university, including artistic, sports, technical education and more. Everything to do with education in Mexico passes through the hands of the SEP.

A bit of history

In the 1920s, Mexico was in the midst of reconstruction after the Revolution. There was a consensus: education was key to transforming society. José Vasconcelos, known as the "Apostle of Education," had the brilliant idea of centralizing educational efforts under a single agency. Thus the SEP was born, with three major initial missions:

1. To make a country where the majority could neither read nor write literate.
3. To promote culture and civics through the arts and humanities.
5. To bring education to all regions, even the most isolated.

Can you imagine a Mexico without public schools?Because that's what it was before: a mess of isolated institutions and many communities with no access to anything.

What does SEP do today?

I'll summarize it for you in six main points, but don't get confused: behind each one is a huge and complex machinery.

Design of educational policies: The entire school curriculum, from mathematics to civics, is designed here. Free textbooks are its most famous creation.

Teacher training: Because it's not enough to teach! You have to teach well. SEP coordinates the training and updating of teachers to keep them up to date with best practices.

Supervision of private schools: Yes, private schools also answer to SEP. This ensures that they follow national standards.

Educational equity: SEP runs specific programs for rural, indigenous or poverty-stricken communities. This is where scholarships and inclusion programs come in.

Use of technology: From digital platforms to online classes, the SEP seeks to modernize teaching (even if it sometimes costs it work).

Cultural preservation: It is not only in charge of teaching, but also of protecting the country's historical and cultural heritage.

My experience with the SEP

Ah, this is where the savory comes in. I worked several years as a teacher in a public high school and, believe me, I saw everything. From the implementation (clumsy, but necessary) of new educational technologies, to the textbook reforms that generated controversy for their contents. But there is something that has always been clear to me: without the SEP, there would not be an educational system that unifies a country as diverse as Mexico.

On the other hand, I have also collaborated in teacher training projects and here I will tell you something bluntly: teachers are the pillar of the educational system, and many times the SEP does not give them the recognition or the tools they deserve. Can it improve? Of course it can! But we must also recognize all that it has achieved in these more than 100 years.

Criticisms and challenges

Let's be honest: the SEP is not perfect. It has faced criticism for bureaucracy, lack of resources and, at times, controversial decisions in its educational reforms. But here is my personal opinion: it is easy to criticize from the outside, but managing a system that serves millions of students and thousands of schools is not an easy job. The key is to seek constant improvement and to listen to those involved: teachers, parents and, above all, students.

Conclusion: What would Mexico be without SEP?

Without the Ministry of Public Education, Mexico would be a divided country. This institution, with its successes and mistakes, has been fundamental in building an accessible, equitable and quality education system. As someone who has seen its impact firsthand, I can tell you that Mexico's future depends on continuing to strengthen this agency and adapting it to the challenges of the 21st century.

So, if you ever complain about the SEP, remember that thanks to it millions of children and young people have an opportunity to learn, grow and transform their lives.