Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 11 hrs ago
Most Mexican public schools lack computers or internet for teaching
A study found that 65% of Mexico’s public basic-education schools lack computers or internet for teaching.
The finding matters as Mexico’s Education Secretariat has introduced restrictions on cellphone use in schools.
Researchers warn the rules could effectively bar phone use where schools lack other technology.
Cellphones are the only digital tool for 56.3% of users aged 6 to 17, and that share rises to 73.1% in lower-income households with children.
Phones are also used for schoolwork by 88.2% of 12- to 14-year-olds.
The study says official figures count computers without checking whether they work, and just 26.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 14 say they can protect their devices and assess information they find.
Researchers call for investment in school equipment, internet access and teacher training, and say the rules should be assessed for their effects on learning and school life.
The guidance allows adjustments after six months, but the study says it lacks starting measurements to judge whether it improves outcomes.
Only 35% of Mexico’s public basic-education schools have computers and internet for teaching, a study says.
The remaining 65% lack at least one of those resources, and the study warns that official figures may overstate how much usable technology schools have.
A researcher says restrictions on mobile phones could effectively bar students from digital tools in schools without adequate equipment.
For 56.3% of mobile-phone users aged six to 17, phones are their only digital tool, according to the study.
- Who
- Public basic-education schools in Mexico. The figures come from a study by México Evalúa and the Tecnológico de Monterrey’s Initiative for Education with Equity and Quality.
- What
- The study says 65% of these schools lack either computers or internet for teaching. It warns that restrictions on mobile phones could limit access to digital tools.
- When
- The article was published on 2026-11-08.
- Where
- Mexico.
- Why
- The study links the concern to insufficient school technology and connectivity. A researcher says restrictions should be accompanied by equipment, connectivity investment and teacher training.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Schools with computers and internet
- 35% of public basic-education schools
- Schools lacking at least one resource
- 65%
- Phones as only digital tool
- 56.3% of mobile-phone users aged 6 to 17
- Phone use for schoolwork
- 88.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 14
- Digital safety and information-evaluation skills
- 26.2% of adolescents aged 12 to 14
What people are saying
We have computers, in theory, but these computers are 15 years old.
What we need is, objectively, evidence showing where learning stands, evaluations showing the state of students’ social-emotional well-being and social relations.