Behind a blue door, the transformative power of education

There are places that, at first glance, seem ordinary. A blue door on any street, for example, might go unnoticed by someone walking in a hurry. But behind that door, in the San Jerónimo Lídice neighborhood of Mexico City, something extraordinary happens: every morning, 339 children cross the threshold into a different future—not only for themselves, but for their families as well.

The A Favor del Niño (AFN) school has just received the World's Best School Prize, considered the "Oscar" of education, in the Community Collaboration category. It is not an elite school nor a social experiment; it is a living example of how education, when conceived with purpose, can break the cycle of poverty and open real opportunities.

I saw this case in a BBC News Mundo article, which recounts how the director of AFN, Daniela Jiménez Moyao, and her teaching team have built an educational model that goes far beyond academic instruction. “It doesn’t just change the child’s life, it changes the family’s life.” And that phrase sums up the spirit of the project: a school that cares for, nurtures, and supports.

A Favor del Niño offers breakfast, lunch, medical care, emotional support, and a sense of belonging, but more importantly, its extended school day allows parents to enter the formal workforce and improve their income. In other articles, we have highlighted the crucial importance of full-time schools and school breakfast programs as public policy, because a well-nourished child learns better, participates more, and fully develops their potential. This program also provides families with peace of mind knowing their children are receiving comprehensive care. This school understands this: education begins with ensuring that every child has energy, health, and well-being.

Furthermore, their model recognizes that education is not solely the teacher's responsibility, but a shared one. Through the "Parents in Action" program, families actively participate in the educational process, share experiences, and build community. We have previously emphasized that involving parents is key to educational success, and AFN confirms this: when families become allies, the results multiply.

And of course, none of this would be possible without teachers. In this and many other experiences we have reviewed, it is confirmed that teachers are the true heart of education. No reform, program, or infrastructure can function without the commitment, dedication, and sensitivity of teachers.

The results speak for themselves: 100% of graduating students gain admission to high-performing secondary schools and maintain averages above eight in all grades. But beyond the numbers, what this school has built is a network of hope where children, families, teachers, and the community support one another.

Perhaps that blue door in San Jerónimo Lídice symbolizes what Mexico needs: to pave the way for an education that not only teaches, but embraces; that not only prepares for work, but for life; and that recognizes that behind every student there is a family, a teacher, and a community willing to change history.

That's why it's worthwhile for authorities, business leaders, and social organizations to look at models like this and dare to replicate them. We're already doing so at the Azteca Schools, where every day we demonstrate that a trained, motivated teacher and an involved parent can change the course of a life. It's not about grand speeches, but about small actions with a big impact. In this way, behind every blue door or every committed classroom, we could be building the country we all dream of.