Education Minister Mario Delgado on Wednesday addressed the low scores earned by Mexican students in the latest international PISA evaluation test by blaming “the excessive use of cell phones and computer screens.”

Speaking in Mexico City during the opening of National Days of Traditional Games, Delgado expressed doubt that the results amount to a comprehensive evaluation of the Mexican educational system, though he did concede that the sample was “statistically representative.” 

Mexico ranked 64th out of 91 countries evaluated, with a drop in math and reading scores to the lowest levels since 2009.

Before promoting team games as a partial remedy, Delgado defended the New Mexican School — the official public education model implemented under the previous presidential administration — though without providing specific pedagogical strategies.

Delgado said the Education Ministry (SEP) simultaneously implemented formative assessment programs under the New Mexican School scheme, including 7 million integrative learning exercises during the past year.

Still, officials sought to put Mexico’s poor scores in a global perspective, insisting that international reading and math scores declined by 27 points and 22 points, respectively. Such emphasis ignores the fact that the lower scores are equivalent to losing a year of learning.

Although President Claudia Sheinbaum has often criticized what she calls “the structural limitations of the PISA test (saying “it applies the same exam across countries with vastly different local characteristics”), she initiated a public debate about the excessive use of screens and the early access of children and adolescents to digital platforms. This led to new national guidelines restricting cell phone use in schools. 

Delgado said that with cell phone regulation in place, new activities — such as team games — can be used to effectively get the attention of students and build cooperative learning skills.  

Unlike mobile phones, which promote isolation and limit social skills, Delgado said games like yo-yo, marbles, spinning top, and cup-and-ball encourage teamwork, shared fun and the formation of new friendships.

The aim is to encourage students to spend more time playing and socializing, Delgado said, insisting that being in front of a phone limits opportunities to connect with other people.

With reports from Vanguardia, Animal Político and El Universal