Marx Arriaga, the former director general of Educational Materials at Mexico's Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), was dismissed from his position amidst controversy surrounding his management style and decisions. Following a verbal notice of his termination, Arriaga remained in his office for four days, insisting that any formal notification should comply with legal standards. Ultimately, he received the official termination letter, effective February 16, and was replaced by Nadia López García.

During his final days at SEP, Arriaga took significant actions that raised eyebrows, including the signing of 105 contracts for teaching positions that were previously classified as honorariums. This move could potentially impact the hiring and payment structures within the SEP, and raises questions about the appropriateness of his actions just before his departure. While he expressed satisfaction with how he was informed of his dismissal, the implications of his last-minute decisions remain under scrutiny.

The broader context of Arriaga's termination and his last actions point to ongoing tensions within Mexico's educational administration, particularly regarding staffing and financial management. As educational reform continues to be a hot topic in Mexico, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the new leadership under López García will address these challenges, especially in light of the recent controversies surrounding less formal staffing practices. This incident exemplifies the complexities and challenges facing the SEP as it navigates reform and administrative changes.