DLA Piper represented Mexicanos Primero in lawsuit benefitting 30 million children in rural Mexico

DLA Piper successfully represented education-focused nongovernmental agency Mexicanos Primero in a lawsuit aimed at preventing cutbacks to the School is Ours program, which extended school hours for students at more than 25,000 schools and gave working parents more time to work to support their families.

The lawsuit filed by Aprender Primero, the legal arm of Mexicanos Primero, claimed that the Ministry of Public Education had made an illegal and erroneous interpretation of the provisions of the Federal Expenditure Budget of 2023. Last year, the Ministry of Public Education indicated that beneficiary schools could only use 21 percent of the resources to extend their working day from six to eight hours, limiting pay to teachers and principals.

The Seventh District Judge in Administrative Matters of Mexico City ordered, by means of a definitive suspension, not to limit the resources. Effective immediately, this judgment benefits more than 30 million children in Mexico who will benefit from use of the funds.

“These monetary resources are intended to improve the living conditions and educational experience of children who live in the outskirts and rural parts of Mexico,” said Antonio Cárdenas, the partner who led the pro bono team that advised Mexicanos Primero. “We will continue our work with Mexicanos Primero to ensure these rights are preserved.” 

In addition to Cárdenas, the pro bono team included associates Marietta Rivero, Fernando Osawa and Ricardo Mendoza, all based in Mexico City.