### Over 24 Million Basic Education Students Return to School
On Monday, August 26, 2024, the new academic year 2024-2025 officially began, marking the return of over 24 million basic education students to 229,379 schools across the country. This also saw the return of 1,223,000 teachers to the classrooms.
In Mexico City, a special operation was implemented to ensure a safe return to classes. Starting from 6:00 AM, 13,814 members from the Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) were deployed across the 16 boroughs of the capital.
The operation involves preventive police, elements from the Banking and Industrial Police, Auxiliary Police, and the Undersecretary of Traffic Control. They will be supported by 1,427 vehicles, 47 motorcycles, five cranes, 12 ambulances from the Medical Rescue and Emergency Squad, 10 motorcycle ambulances, and a helicopter from the ‘Cóndores’ unit.
To monitor traffic crossings in real-time and expedite traffic flow in congested areas, police will coordinate with the Command and Control Centers (C2) and the video surveillance cameras of the Command, Control, Computing, Communications, and Citizen Contact Center (C5) of Mexico City.
Additionally, traffic control measures will be implemented to ensure both vehicular and pedestrian mobility, thereby facilitating arrivals at educational facilities and safeguarding the surrounding areas to prevent accidents. Assistance will be provided to motorists to avoid fines for parking in prohibited areas near schools. Continuous patrols will cover public transport routes to schools, transport hubs (CETRAMS), and stations of the Metro, Metrobús, Light Rail, Electric Transport Systems, and Passenger Transport Network.
According to the Federal Government’s Secretary of Public Education (SEP) calendar, the new school year will last 190 days and conclude on July 16, 2025. The Technical School Council meetings will continue to take place on the last Fridays of each month. Long weekends or “puentes” will be observed on Monday, September 16; Monday, November 18; and Wednesday, December 25, 2024.
In 2025, holidays will include Wednesday, January 1; Monday, February 3; Monday, March 17; Thursday, May 1; Monday, May 5; and Thursday, May 15. Additionally, there will be two vacation periods for Christmas and Holy Week in 2025.
Winter holidays are scheduled from December 19 to January 3. Holy Week will span from April 14 to April 25, 2025. The end-of-term break will commence on Monday, July 21, 2025.
### Second Article
**Mexico City Enhances Security Measures for School Reopenings**
In other related news, additional preparations were made to manage the influx of students returning to classes. Part of the enhanced security measures included ensuring all pedestrian crossings near schools were manned to facilitate safe crossing for students. Traffic authorities collaborated with school administrations to identify critical areas prone to congestion and develop alternative routes where necessary.
Parents were encouraged through public announcements to plan their routes and travel times carefully to avoid peak hours. Additional parking spaces were temporarily designated near schools on the reopening day to manage the increased number of vehicles.
The preparations also involved close cooperation with public transport operators to ensure buses and trains were running on time. Extra buses were added on routes serving major school zones. Public awareness campaigns were run across various media, advising commuters about the expected changes and suggesting alternative travel arrangements.
The enhanced coordination between various government departments aims to create a smooth and safe environment for all returning students and teachers, ensuring that the new academic year starts on a positive note.