After a weekend of road blockades and shutdowns, classrooms are reopening—but not everywhere, and not all at once. Several states restored in-person classes on Tuesday with flexible attendance rules, while others kept remote options or left certain regions closed. Jalisco, one of the hardest-hit, set Wednesday for a statewide return. Universities have also adjusted, with some campuses moving online and others reporting unusually low turnout. What officials say next will shape how fast normal schedules truly return.
A staggered return to classrooms
State education authorities began restoring in-person classes on Tuesday, February 24, after weekend violence disrupted roads and daily services in multiple states. Several governments said schools would reopen at all levels, including basic and upper grades. Many also signaled flexibility for students who could not travel safely. On Monday, February 23, closures were widely used to limit movement and verify conditions. The disruptions followed a federal operation in Jalisco linked to the CJNG leadership. Federal authorities said the group’s leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” died. After that, road blockades and attacks were reported across a wide area. By Tuesday morning, officials in several states had judged conditions stable enough to reopen classrooms. They also urged residents to rely on official updates amid circulating false reports online. For expatriate families, the immediate concern has been reliable transport for students and staff. School notices in some areas also warned that schedules could change again on short notice.
Reopenings by state and region
The pace of reopening varied by state and, in some cases, by municipality. Querétaro, Nayarit, Colima, Guanajuato, and the State of Mexico said classes would resume on Tuesday. In the State of Mexico, the restart followed Monday’s suspensions in 14 municipalities. Michoacán also moved back to in-person instruction on Tuesday in most areas. Officials kept schools closed in Aguililla, Coalcomán, and Chinicuila as a precaution. In Oaxaca, authorities described a gradual restart in the Isthmus region. They said schools in Juchitán would remain closed until further notice. Other states used distance learning for a day to keep lessons moving without travel. In Baja California, authorities shifted to remote formats across public and private schools. Some governments reported that classes continued normally where local security conditions held. Across states, officials emphasized that local guidance could differ on the same calendar day. In Zacatecas, education officials allowed schools to choose between in-person and remote formats for Tuesday.
Universities and attendance flexibility
Universities adjusted schedules in parallel, with a focus on travel risks and campus access. The National Autonomous University of Mexico moved activities online on Monday, February 23, at its campuses in Morelia, León, and Juriquilla. Other UNAM academic entities continued operating, including in Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The university asked out-of-town students to delay their returns until travel conditions improved. It also requested flexibility from teachers on attendance and evaluations. Even where classes continued, some faculties reported unusually low turnout on Monday. Messages shared among students suggested absences would not be penalized. Several public and private universities also shifted to virtual or hybrid classes for a day. Some postponed exams and fieldwork, or moved deadlines to later in the week. The common goal was continuity without pressuring students to travel through uncertain routes. Faculty were encouraged to use online tools when students arrived late.
Jalisco’s timeline and service restoration
In Jalisco, authorities set Wednesday, February 25, as the date for a statewide return to classrooms. The pause affected public and private schools at all levels of education. State leaders also pointed to signs of normalization in daily services on Tuesday. The governor said public transport was operating normally across the state. He also said banks, markets, and major retail outlets were open. Federal officials reported additional troop deployments to reinforce security in Jalisco. Elsewhere, energy officials said fuel supply operations were continuing without interruption. Security forces increased patrols on key roads and at strategic sites in several regions. Still, the staggered school calendar shows how reopening decisions track mobility and risk. Families were urged to confirm the latest guidance from school administrators and education offices. For foreign residents, school reopenings help, but road advisories remain the most practical signal. Officials in several states said they would review conditions daily before confirming the next steps.
With information from: La Jornada, UNAM, El País
