Mexico City’s Educational Graveyard: Three Abandoned Schools Become White Elephants
Mexico City, August 31 – Three schools in Mexico City have been without students for years, their facilities now showing the consequences of abandonment. Campuses that were once full of pupils now exhibit damage, trash, vandalism, and even the risk of invasion. This issue highlights a significant problem within the city’s educational infrastructure, leaving communities without vital learning spaces.
Secondary Technical School 167: Two Decades of Closure
One of the oldest cases of abandonment is that of Secondary Technical School 167 “Basilio Vadillo” in Gustavo A. Madero. This institution has been closed since 2001, following an explosion linked to a gas accumulation in its laboratories. For more than two decades, its facilities have remained in a state of deterioration, with local residents expressing their bewilderment as to why the property has not been rehabilitated.
The prolonged closure of Secondary Technical School 167 raises questions about the long-term planning and maintenance of public educational facilities in the city. The lack of action for such an extended period has not only deprived generations of students of a local school but has also left a significant public asset to decay.
Iztapalapa’s Unfinished Rehabilitations: Post-2017 Earthquake Abandonment
In Iztapalapa, two secondary schools, José Natividad Macías and José Clemente Orozco, ceased operations after the devastating 2017 earthquake due to structural damage. Despite a sign indicating that José Natividad Macías is undergoing rehabilitation due to a judicial order, the work remains incomplete. The building has even faced attempts of invasion, further complicating its potential recovery.
Similarly, Secondary José Clemente Orozco, also impacted by the 2017 earthquake, remains closed. Residents in the area believe that the school primarily requires maintenance to become operational again. The ongoing closure of these schools underscores the slow pace of reconstruction efforts following natural disasters and the subsequent impact on affected communities.
The 2017 earthquake caused widespread damage across Mexico City, and while many buildings have been repaired or rebuilt, these two schools serve as stark reminders of projects that have stalled. The judicial order for rehabilitation at José Natividad Macías suggests legal complexities may be contributing to the delay, while José Clemente Orozco’s closure highlights a potential lack of funding or prioritization for basic repairs.
Community Frustration and Unanswered Questions
These three campuses continue to be unable to fulfill their educational function, leaving communities waiting for answers regarding the future of these spaces. The abandonment of these schools represents a significant loss for their respective communities, which rely on these institutions for the education of their children.
The issue of abandoned schools in Mexico City is not merely about dilapidated buildings; it is about the lost opportunities for thousands of students and the erosion of community infrastructure. The prolonged closures contribute to overcrowding in other schools, increase travel times for students, and can lead to a decline in educational quality.
Local authorities face increasing pressure to address these long-standing issues. The communities impacted by these closures are demanding transparency and concrete plans for the future of these abandoned educational sites. The question remains whether these
