The pulse of the school calendar: who is in charge in the classrooms?
The National Association for Educational Development and the National Association of Private Schools (ANFE-ANEP) has just dropped a bomb in the educational playground. They say that, although the SEP has already modified the official 2025-2026 calendar, private schools can—and will—follow their own pace. Just like it sounds.
“We know the problems that modifications to the school calendar can generate,” the organization warns, making it clear that they are not going to bend so easily.
The letter up your sleeve? The civil contract that you signed with the parents. That role, they claim, gives them the right to maintain activities without anyone accusing them of non-compliance. It is as if the SEP moved the pieces on the board, but the schools had already made their own move.
Of course, there is a red line: the dates to upload ratings to the official platforms. There is no return there. The system closes and that’s it. But after that, schools can continue with remedial classes, extracurricular activities, whatever is necessary so that children do not fall behind.
The background drama: 159 days vs. 185
Here comes the juicy part. ANFE-ANEP releases a complaint that hurts: the current SEP proposal would reduce the cycle to only 159 days. The law sets a minimum of 185 and a maximum of 200. Who is really failing to comply?
“Those who fail to comply with the legal framework would be the educational authorities by not guaranteeing the minimum number of days,” the association fires.
The final call is not to panic. They ask school communities to continue working, to respect grade loading times and not to fall into unnecessary charges or legal advice. They also demand that the SEP clarify the platform closure dates and detail what will happen in those weeks prior to the next cycle.
“We invite you to continue working for education in our country and to conclude the school year in accordance with the provisions of the contracts signed with parents,” they close.
In other words: the education show continues, but now with two directors.
