Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda announced the reactivation of the “Vigilando Nuestra Escuela” (“Watching Over Our Schools”) program, a statewide effort aimed at protecting school facilities during the winter break and ensuring a safe return to classes.
Under the program, surveillance and response protocols will be implemented at nearly 4,000 schools, primarily at the elementary and middle school levels, which will be closed for winter vacation from December 22, 2025, through January 9, 2026.
The governor said the initiative is designed to respond quickly to reports of damage or irregularities at school campuses, with the goal of protecting buildings, equipment, and classroom furnishings while students are away.
School administrators, parent committees, neighborhood residents, and security authorities at multiple levels of government will coordinate monitoring and prevention efforts throughout the break, state officials said.
State Education Minister Irma Martínez Manríquez added that the government will also roll out the “Close, Turn Off, and Disconnect” campaign, which focuses on preventing electrical incidents while reducing unnecessary use of electricity and water during the holiday period. She said the measure helps lower operating and maintenance costs for schools.
Baja California has nearly 4,000 public basic education schools serving more than 656,000 students, making campus protection a shared responsibility during extended closures, officials said. Authorities urged school communities, particularly those in more vulnerable areas, to strengthen preventive measures.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or incidents at school facilities by calling 911 or the anonymous tip line 089.
According to authorities, school administrators will return to duty on January 7 to participate in leadership training sessions. Teaching staff will report on January 8 and 9 for the same workshops, with no students in attendance. Classes are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
