Title: SEP and Specialists Lead Conference to Review Textbooks for Basic Education
Subtitle: Controversy Surrounding Errors and Alleged Political Indoctrination Addressed
Date: August 8, 2023
The Secretary of Public Education (SEP), along with a group of specialists, is leading the first in a series of evening conferences on Tuesday, August 8th, to review the content of the free textbooks that will be distributed to basic education students starting on Monday, August 28th, marking the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year.
The conference, held at the Treasury Hall of the National Palace in Mexico City, is being led by SEP Secretary Leticia Ramírez Amaya. Pedagogues and teachers responsible for the creation of the textbooks are also in attendance.
The purpose of this dialogue is to address the recent controversy surrounding the textbooks, which have been found to contain spelling errors, mistakes in mathematical exercises, and inaccuracies in historical dates.
Furthermore, opponents have accused the textbooks of promoting political indoctrination aligned with the Fourth Transformation, an accusation that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has denied.
“To inform and prevent manipulation regarding the content of the textbooks, who created them, whether they are doctrinaire, whether they contain the virus of communism or not, what theoretical foundation was used by those involved, and what role the teachers played,” explained the president during one of his morning press conferences.
Live Coverage of the Textbook Conference:
The following are the most relevant statements and events from the textbook review:
SEP Addresses Questions about Free Textbooks
18:33: The press conference concludes.
18:31: Amaya announces that the analysis of first-grade textbooks will begin on Wednesday, August 9th. She urges trust in teachers.
18:30: AmSEP and Specialists Lead Conference on Textbooks for Basic Education
The Secretary of Public Education (SEP), along with a group of specialists, is leading the first of a series of evening conferences on Tuesday, August 8th, to review the content of the free textbooks that will be distributed to basic education students on Monday, August 28th, the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
The head of the SEP, Leticia Ramírez Amaya, will lead the event taking place at the Treasury Hall of the National Palace in Mexico City. Pedagogues and teachers responsible for creating the textbooks will also be present.
The reason for this dialogue is the recent controversy surrounding the textbooks, which have been found to contain spelling errors, mistakes in math exercises, and historical inaccuracies.
In addition, opponents have accused the textbooks of promoting political indoctrination aligned with the Fourth Transformation, an accusation that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has denied.
“To inform and prevent manipulation regarding the content of the textbooks, who created them, whether they are doctrinaire, whether they contain the virus of communism or not, what theoretical foundation was used by those involved, what role the teachers played,” explained the president in one of his morning press conferences.
Live Coverage of the Conference on SEP Textbooks
In this space, we will present the most relevant statements and facts from the textbook review:
SEP Responds to Questions about Free Textbooks
18:33: Press conference ends.
18:31: Amaya announces that the analysis of first-grade textbooks will begin on Wednesday, August 9th. “We must have confidence in our teachers.”
18:30: Amaya responds to the alleged “communist virus” and ”SEP and Specialists Lead Conference on Textbooks for Basic Education
The Secretary of Public Education (SEP), along with a group of specialists, is leading the first of a series of evening conferences on Tuesday, August 8th, to review the content of the free textbooks that will be distributed to basic education students on Monday, August 28th, the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
The head of the SEP, Leticia Ramírez Amaya, will lead the event taking place at the Treasury Hall of the National Palace in Mexico City. Pedagogues and teachers responsible for creating the textbooks will also be present.
The reason for this dialogue is the recent controversy surrounding the textbooks, which have been found to contain spelling errors, mistakes in math exercises, and historical inaccuracies.
In addition, opponents have accused the textbooks of promoting political indoctrination aligned with the Fourth Transformation, an accusation that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has denied.
“To inform and prevent manipulation regarding the content of the textbooks, who created them, whether they are doctrinaire, whether they have the virus of communism or not, what theoretical foundation was used by those who participated, what role the teachers played,” explained the president in one of his morning press conferences.
Live Coverage of the Conference on SEP Textbooks
In this space, we will present the most relevant statements and facts from the textbook review:
SEP Responds to Questions about Free Textbooks
18:33: Press conference ends.
18:31: Amaya announces that the analysis of first-grade textbooks will begin on Wednesday, August 9th. “We must trust our teachers.”
18:30: Amaya responds to the alleged ”communist virus” and “indoctrination” in favor of the Fourth Transformation. “I want you to be certain that we have legally complied with what the judiciary has requested, and we have used legal means to defend ourselves. There is no impediment to their distribution.” The head of the SEP called for calm on the matter.
18:27: “If there are areas for improvement, if more than 20 are found, the blame lies with the director general, not the editors, who did a great job,” emphasizes Marx Arriaga regarding errors in the textbooks.
18:26: Arriaga compares the areas for improvement (errors) in this year’s textbooks with errors in textbooks from previous periods.
18:23: Marx Arriaga points out that there is no other publishing program in the world like Mexico’s, not only because of the family of 91 books, but also because of the printing and distribution process. “Yes, there is a process where materials are corrected. I wouldn’t call them errors, but rather areas for improvement.”
18:17: Arriaga states that a twist was needed in the textbooks so that teachers can supplement the information and impart knowledge.
18:15: Marx Arriaga says that teachers must contextualize knowledge, and although there is a delay in educational quality, the teaching profession has implemented teaching practices despite the challenges faced in classrooms during the previous administration.
18:13: Arriaga also points out that it
How does the Secretary of Public Education plan to ensure the accuracy and educational value of the textbooks
G press conferences.
Live Coverage of the Textbook Conference
In this space, we will provide the most important statements and events from the textbook review:
SEP Addresses Questions about Free Textbooks
18:33: Press conference wraps up.
18:31: Amaya announces that the assessment of first-grade textbooks will commence on Wednesday, August 9th. She encourages the public to have faith in their teachers.
18:30: Amaya responds to allegations of a “communist virus” and “political indoctrination” in the textbooks, affirming that the SEP is committed to providing accurate and unbiased educational materials.
The conference aims to address concerns about errors in the textbooks and accusations of political indoctrination. The Secretary of Public Education, along with specialists, will assess the content of the textbooks and ensure their accuracy and educational value. This conference is a crucial step in ensuring that students receive high-quality educational resources for the upcoming school year.
¡Qué bueno que estén revisando los libros de texto gratuitos! Espero que haya mejoras significativas para nuestros estudiantes.