Marx Arriaga Maintains Stance at SEP Headquarters
Marx Arriaga Navarro, the former Director General of Educational Materials for Mexico's Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), has continued his protest from his office within the SEP building in Mexico City. Arriaga has remained in his office for over 70 hours as of February 16, 2026, following his notification of removal from the position. His demonstration, which he terms a 'protest with proposal,' aims to defend his tenure and the controversial free textbooks (Libros de Texto Gratuitos) developed under his leadership as part of the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) educational model.
Dispute Over Educational Materials and Removal
The protest stems from Arriaga's impending dismissal, which was set to take effect on February 15, 2026. The SEP cited administrative changes that would convert his position into a 'free designation' by the head of the SEP, Mario Delgado.
Arriaga contends that his removal is an arbitrary attempt to alter public education and 'pervert' the ongoing educational transformation, aiming to make it 'more instrumental, simpler.'
A central point of contention is Arriaga's refusal to implement modifications to the free textbooks. He argued that such changes were incompatible with the ideology of the NEM.
Conversely, the SEP stated that Arriaga's removal was necessary for the continuous updating of educational materials. The institution indicated a need to incorporate:
- More content in indigenous languages
- Formats in macrotipo and Braille
- Inclusion of women's contributions to history
- Design of materials for young people in mobility situations
The SEP claims Arriaga refused these proposed changes, asserting they would 'attack the legacy of Andrés Manuel López Obrador.'
'Protest with Proposal' and Demands
From his office, Arriaga has initiated a series of dialogues and reflections with teachers, which he has broadcast on social media. This '24 hours of knowledge' initiative involves discussions with the teaching sector from various states regarding the importance of education in defending the country.
Mario Delgado, the head of the SEP, confirmed that Arriaga was offered a diplomatic post as an ambassador in a Latin American country, which he declined. Arriaga has demanded that his dismissal be formalized in writing and 'according to the law,' rather than through verbal notifications or tangential documents.
The textbooks developed under Arriaga's direction have previously faced criticism for alleged errors and ideological content. Despite the controversy surrounding his tenure, Arriaga has positioned himself as a defender of the educational project he spearheaded.
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