Mexico's bold new history textbook embraces diversity and forgotten voices
Mexico's Education Secretary, Mario Delgado, has launched a project to create a new history textbook for primary school pupils. Aimed at fourth to sixth graders, the book will cover a wider range of topics than previous editions. A team of experienced historians has been brought in to shape its content.
The development process will unfold in three stages. First, the team will gather and compile historical material. Next, they will adapt it for classroom teaching. Finally, the content will undergo a validation phase before printing.
The National Free Textbook Commission (Conaliteg) will handle production and distribution. The books are scheduled to reach schools by September 2026, in time for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The textbook will feature a broad selection of images alongside its text. Topics will include Afro-Mexican heritage, gender diversity, Indigenous communities, health and disease, migration, and the colonial era. A key focus will also be on recognising women's contributions to Mexico's national development.
Five specialists are leading the project: María Elisa Velázquez Gutiérrez, María Gabriela Iturralde Nieto, Diana Irina Córdova Ramírez, Lorenzo Meyer Cossío, and Felipe Ávila Espinosa. All have expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the Education Ministry. They have also shared their gratitude for being part of the initiative.
The new textbook will introduce pupils to a more inclusive version of Mexico's past. It will highlight underrepresented groups and events, from Indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities to women's roles in history. The final version is expected to arrive in classrooms in less than two years.
