Mexican authorities have announced a controversial decision to end the national school year more than a month ahead of schedule, citing a combination of a looming “extraordinary heat wave” and the country’s role as a co-host for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

The announcement, made on Friday by Education Secretary Mario Delgado, confirms that the school year will now conclude on June 5—roughly 40 days earlier than the original closing date of July 15. The move comes as the nation prepares to kick off the tournament on June 11, when Mexico faces South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

According to Secretary Delgado, the decision was primarily driven by the safety of students amid record-breaking temperatures. Mexico has already seen mercury levels soar to 107°F (42°C) in some regions, with NASA reporting multiple broken temperature records this year.

“We are ending the school year early because many states are already experiencing extreme heat, and we must also address the logistical needs of the World Cup,” Delgado stated.

Mexico is set to host 13 matches across Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Officials noted that the original academic calendar would have clashed with several mid-day matches, creating significant traffic and logistical hurdles in host cities.

The decision has sparked a wave of criticism from parents, business associations, and educational think tanks. Many parents are now left scrambling to secure and pay for an additional six weeks of childcare, while experts warn of a growing “educational gap.”

“This affects more than 23.4 million students,” warned the Mexico Evalua think tank. “Reducing learning time further exacerbates existing inequalities and educational underachievement.”

The business association Coparmex also labeled the move as “hasty,” citing the disruption it would cause to the labor force and family schedules.

While the federal government has agreed to the proposal, President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared to offer a slightly more cautious stance, noting that while the proposal was accepted, authorities are still working to ensure students do not miss out on vital learning.

“There is no definitive calendar yet,” Sheinbaum said. “It is important that children don’t miss classes.” To compensate for the early break, authorities are considering moving up the start of the next academic year to August 31, following two weeks of intensive “learning strengthening” programs.

The decision has also faced political resistance. Officials in Jalisco state—a region run by political opponents of the current administration—have refused to comply with the federal directive. Jalisco schools will remain open until June 30, with classes only suspended for the four days that Guadalajara hosts World Cup matches.

As the June 11 kickoff approaches, Mexico remains a nation divided between the excitement of hosting the world’s biggest sporting event and the practical challenges of a changing climate and a disrupted education system.