Marx Arriaga Navarro, former director general of Educational Materials at Mexico’s Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP), revealed on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that he is facing severe financial difficulties following his exit from the agency earlier this year. In a candid message posted on the social media platform X, Arriaga announced his intention to sell his house in Ciudad Juárez due to unpaid severance and mounting mortgage debts.

Arriaga’s public statement came more than six months after his removal from the SEP in February 2026, a move that sparked controversy given his role in overseeing the contentious new free textbooks under the Nueva Escuela Mexicana educational model. His departure followed disagreements with the federal administration over modifications to these textbooks, which had already ignited national debate and legal challenges.

In his post, Arriaga expressed frustration over not receiving his severance pay, writing, “I can’t take it anymore. I’d rather give everything away than let Santander auction it off. It’s been over six months without my SEP severance, and I can’t keep up with the damn interest. If anyone is looking for a house in Juaritos, I’m practically giving away the home I built as a teacher.”

This revelation highlights the precarious financial situation that can follow public service, especially amid bureaucratic delays. Despite the public nature of his claims, neither the SEP nor Santander has issued any official response regarding the unpaid severance or mortgage concerns.

Arriaga’s story underscores the human side of policy debates and institutional transitions. His involvement in the development of the new textbooks was a defining feature of the previous administration’s educational reforms, which aimed to reshape Mexico’s public education system but also faced significant pushback.

For migrants and international residents in Mexico, this case illustrates the complexities of public sector employment and the importance of timely labor rights enforcement. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges within Mexico’s education system, where reforms like the Nueva Escuela Mexicana continue to provoke discussion about the country’s future.