On June 5, 2025, the National Institute for Adult Education (INEA) and representatives from major business organizations formalized a collaborative agreement to reduce Mexico’s adult illiteracy rate In a ceremony held at the INEA regional office, Director General Armando Contreras Castillo emphasized that “education is the foundation of personal, social, and economic development,” underscoring the importance of literacy as a driver for national progress.
Contreras Castillo invited business leaders—especially those affiliated with the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE) and the Confederation of Industrial Chambers (Concamin)—to adopt an adult learner mentor through corporate social responsibility programs. “Imagine if a significant percentage of CCE member companies commit to tutoring one adult worker in basic reading and arithmetic,” he stated. “This is not merely a charitable act; it’s an investment in a more productive, loyal workforce,” he added
Alejandro Malagón, representing Francisco Cervantes Díaz (President of CCE), affirmed the business community’s dedication to closing educational gaps. “By supporting adult literacy, we promote equality of opportunity and ensure that no Mexican is left behind due to lack of basic skills,” Malagón declared. In a letter read on his behalf, Cervantes Díaz highlighted that “this agreement represents more than a document; it enshrines our companies’ historical commitment to strengthening education and extending opportunities to all Mexicans.”
Key provisions of the accord include joint fundraising campaigns to provide learning materials, establishment of tutoring centers in industrial zones, and annual progress reports to monitor literacy metrics. INEA officials noted that an literate workforce not only improves productivity but also reduces training costs and enhances corporate competitiveness. Business and community leaders in attendance—such as María Ariza of the Bolsa Institucional de Valores (BIVA) and Guillermo Vogel, Vice President of TAMSA Mexico—reaffirmed their support.
Participants concluded the event by posing for a group photograph alongside adult learners who recently completed INEA’s foundational courses. With the nationwide illiteracy rate estimated at 4.8%—equating to roughly five million adults—stakeholders expressed optimism that, by 2026, Mexico could declare itself free of adult illiteracy. “Together, we will ensure that President Claudia Sheinbaum can raise the white flag on illiteracy by next year,” Contreras Castillo said, referencing the planned timeline of this initiative.
