Cuba is set to commence the new school year as scheduled next week, despite facing a significant crisis affecting transportation, electricity, teacher availability, and shortages of essential supplies like uniforms. The Minister of Education announced that around 1.4 million children and adolescents will return to school in early September.

Acknowledging the challenges brought by the crisis, Education Minister Naima Trujillo emphasized the importance of overcoming the difficulties to ensure the successful continuation of the academic year. The situation has deteriorated since June when students were released early for the summer break due to disruptions in transportation and electricity caused by increased sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration.

The U.S. has escalated its sanctions on Cuban officials, alleging anti-American activities and intensifying pressure on the communist-led government in Cuba. In response, Cuba has accused the U.S. of attempting to harm its economy and impede the delivery of basic services.

Despite the challenges, Cuba has historically prided itself on its free and inclusive state-provided education system, which is considered a significant achievement. However, the system is currently strained by severe shortages exacerbated by U.S. sanctions, leading to concerns about its sustainability.

Teacher coverage in Cuban schools has declined to 73%, with many educators leaving the profession for better opportunities abroad. To address the staffing shortages, the education sector plans to recruit university students, professionals from other fields, and retired teachers, offering additional incentives to ensure the functioning of schools. In areas with critical staffing shortages, such as the Havana province, teachers from better-staffed regions will be relocated to address the imbalance.

Furthermore, the production and distribution of school uniforms have been adversely affected, with only 12% of the demand for primary school uniforms being met due to ongoing power outages at manufacturing facilities. The Minister encouraged schools to be accommodating, allowing students to attend in comfortable attire and their traditional red neckerchiefs.