“Shocking: Mexican Schools Demand Just 1% of Mayan Train Budget for Maintenance!”

The Mexicanos Primero organization has calculated that to provide basic necessities for the country's schools, the government needs to invest 51,932 million pesos. This sum is equivalent to 1% of the budget for the Mayan Train project. This investment would be used to improve the infrastructure of public schools, from preschool to high school.

The funds would be used to provide independent bathrooms for the 50,996 schools that currently lack them, electricity for the 25,890 schools without it, potable water for the 54,662 schools without it, and washbasins for the 42,474 schools without them.

Mexicanos Primero warns that education is not being prioritized by the government. Basic necessities such as piped water, electricity, washbasins, and bathrooms are not guaranteed in schools. Furthermore, adequate infrastructure that accommodates students with disabilities and provides access to technology and connectivity is also lacking.

The organization also provided a detailed breakdown of the costs. To maintain the country's 205,766 public schools for a year would require 46,552 million pesos. An additional 157,617 million pesos would be needed to build ramps and handrails for students with disabilities. To equip each school with at least one computer room and furniture, 165,700 million pesos are needed. Furthermore, an annual investment of 1,325 million pesos would be required for internet service and satellite equipment for rural areas.

The total cost for these basic necessities adds up to 273,080 million pesos, equivalent to 0.8% of Mexico's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Mexicanos Primero argues that before making any other campaign promises, such as extended school hours or new high schools and universities, the government must first address these fundamental issues that affect the daily wellbeing and learning development of students.

The organization also pointed out that the 51,932 million pesos needed to guarantee these basics in schools is equivalent to 15.6% of the total cost of cancelling the New International Airport of Mexico City (NAIM), 1% of the estimated budget for the Mayan Train project by the end of 2024, and 5% of the INSABI budget for 2023.