SEP to hold final consultation on replacing USICAMM teacher career system

The Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) will hold a final consultation at the end of October to define the replacement of the USICAMM (Unidad del Sistema para la Carrera de las Maestras y los Maestros) and establish a new relationship between the state and teachers, announced Secretary Mario Delgado Carrillo. Nearly 400,000 teachers participated in a prior diagnosis, with around 80% supporting the use of knowledge and aptitude assessments for obtaining positions and promotions.

What is being replaced

USICAMM is the body that regulates teacher entry, promotion, recognition, and permanence in public education. Its replacement is part of the New Mexican School project promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Source: El Heraldo de México. The new system will define how teaching positions are awarded, how promotions are granted, the role of exams, and how teacher collectives participate in rule design Source: El Heraldo de México.

Disagreement on current status

While Secretary Delgado stated the consultation will determine USICAMM's disappearance and the new relationship between teachers and the state Source: excelsiormx, SNTE Secretary General Alfonso Cepeda Salas claimed USICAMM has already disappeared "de facto," though legal reforms are still needed to formalize it Source: excelsiormx. The SEP has indicated that eliminating USICAMM does not mean eliminating assessment mechanisms for entry or promotion Source: excelsiormx.

Next steps

The school-by-school consultation will be the next step to define the new teacher career scheme, while the formal disappearance of USICAMM still requires legislative changes Source: excelsiormx. No date has been set for the new system to take effect; USICAMM continues to operate under current rules Source: El Heraldo de México.