How Sheinbaum's Administration Tackles Education Reform While Defending Judicial Changes

In a characteristically assertive address this Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo outlined several major initiatives during the People's Morning Conference, spanning from educational reforms to legal battles that have captured national attention. Key among these was the eagerly awaited announcement concerning the “Rita Cetina” Universal Basic Education Scholarship, as well as pointed remarks on the forthcoming Supreme Court decision regarding judicial reforms. President Sheinbaum’s rhetoric exuded confidence, punctuated by a resolute message of preparedness, underscoring her administration’s steadfast resolve to advance critical national projects.

Mario Delgado, Secretary of Public Education, took centre stage to unveil a transformative new initiative aimed at bolstering access to education for millions of Mexican youths. Speaking with palpable urgency, Delgado revealed that beginning Monday, November 11, high school students will have the opportunity to register for the “Rita Cetina” Universal Basic Education Scholarship. This landmark programme is intended to alleviate the economic pressures facing families, thereby ensuring that students are not forced to abandon their academic pursuits for financial reasons.

"Nearly 5.6 million boys and girls across the nation stand to benefit from this initiative," Delgado announced. His words carried the weight of a promise, a pledge to transform the lives of Mexico’s youth through the power of education. The scholarship is strategically targeted: it prioritises adolescents in secondary education, a critical stage when dropout rates historically spike. Officials noted that corresponding support measures for preschool and primary students would be rolled out in subsequent phases, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive and comprehensive educational reform.

President Sheinbaum’s tone shifted to one of guarded defiance as she addressed the looming Supreme Court deliberation. The court is set to review the highly controversial judicial reform legislation, and there is widespread speculation that a partial invalidation could be on the horizon. The reform, seen by the Sheinbaum administration as a cornerstone achievement, is at risk of significant dilution or outright nullification—a development that would mark a critical setback for the current government’s vision of judicial transformation.

“We are prepared,” Sheinbaum declared, her words clipped and decisive. It was a message of reassurance directed at her supporters, conveying that contingency plans are firmly in place. “In any case, we are prepared, for one way or the other.” This prepared stance highlights a seasoned pragmatism, an acknowledgment that governance often requires navigating unpredictable legal terrain. Yet, beneath this composure lay a profound frustration, a sentiment that became more apparent as Sheinbaum criticised what she perceives as the court’s reluctance to acknowledge the will of the people.

“The Ability of the People to Choose”

President Sheinbaum’s rhetoric grew impassioned as she argued against the proposal set forth by Minister Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá, a proposal she believes undermines the voice of the citizenry. "It is that they have not realised that the people have already changed," she asserted, a thinly veiled rebuke aimed at those who, in her view, remain entrenched in a bygone era. The president emphasised that the judicial reform is already embedded within the constitutional framework, an achievement that, she implied, cannot simply be negotiated away.

“You cannot negotiate what the people have decided and what is already the Constitution,” she insisted, framing the debate as a struggle between entrenched judicial interests and the democratic aspirations of Mexico’s populace. The fervour in her voice left little doubt: for Sheinbaum, the reform is not merely a legal issue but a moral imperative, one that encapsulates her administration's vision of a more responsive and democratically accountable judiciary.

In addition to the legal and educational arenas, President Sheinbaum turned her attention to a fiscal matter that has provoked considerable ire: the burgeoning budget allocated to the extraordinary election of members of the Judicial Branch, scheduled for 2025. The National Electoral Institute (INE) recently approved a budget request that, by Sheinbaum’s estimation, has ballooned to an untenable 13.2 billion pesos—a staggering leap from the previously estimated 7 billion.

“I do not agree with the more than 13 billion pesos allocated to the PJ election,” Sheinbaum remarked pointedly, suggesting a lapse in fiscal discipline. The proposed budget covers over 1,600 positions, and while the significance of the election is undisputed, Sheinbaum questioned whether such an exorbitant sum is justified. Her administration, she disclosed, is preparing a formal document to seek clarification and, if necessary, to challenge this considerable expenditure. "The election can be held without a significant amount," she contended, hinting at what she views as an unnecessary outlay at a time when financial prudence should prevail.

Throughout the People’s Morning Conference, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo projected the image of a leader prepared to defend her administration’s achievements, from social welfare to judicial integrity. Her assertive posture on both educational and judicial fronts reflects an overarching theme of her presidency: a vision for a more equitable and democratic Mexico, one that values education as a public good and demands accountability from all branches of government.

As the nation waits with bated breath for the Supreme Court's ruling and prepares for the next phase of educational reform, it is clear that Sheinbaum’s administration will remain resolute, ever ready to adapt yet unwavering in its pursuit of progress.