President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the "ABC of Emotions" educational program during her morning press conference on Monday [2].
The initiative marks a shift toward integrating emotional intelligence into the national curriculum as students return to classrooms. By addressing mental health and behavioral regulation, the administration aims to reduce school conflict and improve academic outcomes.
Sheinbaum held the event, titled "La Mañanera del Pueblo," primarily from Technical Secondary School No. 10 "Artes Gráficas" [1] in the Cuauhtémoc borough of Mexico City. While most reports place the event at the school, some sources indicated the broadcast originated from the National Palace [1].
During the session, the president focused on the logistics of the return to classes and the introduction of the "ABC of Emotions" program [3]. The curriculum is designed to help students identify and manage their feelings to foster a more supportive learning environment.
In addition to the emotional health program, Sheinbaum addressed the regulation of cellular phone use within schools [3]. The administration is seeking to balance the utility of technology with the need to minimize distractions, and protect students from the negative effects of excessive screen time.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the start of the new school term on Aug. 31 [2]. The president used the platform to emphasize the government's commitment to holistic education—combining traditional academics with social-emotional learning.
The use of a secondary school as the venue for the conference served to highlight the direct impact of these policies on the student population. By moving the press briefing outside of the usual government halls, the administration signaled a priority on educational infrastructure and student wellbeing.
“The initiative marks a shift toward integrating emotional intelligence into the national curriculum.”
The introduction of the 'ABC of Emotions' program and the tightening of cell phone regulations suggest that the Mexican government is treating student mental health and digital distraction as systemic barriers to education. By formalizing emotional intelligence in the classroom, the administration is attempting to address the long-term psychological impacts of the post-pandemic era on youth.
