Mexico's new history book spotlights women and marginalized voices in schools
Mexico's Education Ministry is preparing a new history book for primary school students. The book will emphasize the contributions of women and marginalized groups in shaping the nation. It is set to reach classrooms by September 2026.
Education Secretary Mario Delgado announced the project, targeting students in grades four to six. A team of specialists, including historians María Elisa Velázquez Gutiérrez, María Gabriela Iturralde Nieto, and Diana Irina Córdova Ramírez, is leading the work. They are joined by Lorenzo Meyer Cossío and Felipe Ávila Espinosa, both renowned figures in Mexican historical research.
The textbook will cover a wide range of topics, from Afro-Mexican heritage and Indigenous peoples to gender diversity, health, migration, and the colonial era. The team expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the ministry and gratitude for their involvement.
Production follows a structured plan. First, historical content will be gathered and reviewed. Next, the material will be adapted for young learners. Finally, the book will undergo validation before printing. The National Free Textbook Commission (Conaliteg) will handle distribution, ensuring schools receive copies ahead of the 2026–2027 academic year.
The new edition will also feature a rich selection of images. Its aim is to reclaim the stories of women and underrepresented communities often left out of traditional narratives.
The textbook will arrive in classrooms in September 2026. It will provide a broader perspective on Mexico's past, focusing on previously overlooked voices. The Education Ministry and Conaliteg are coordinating to ensure timely delivery across the country.
