The Cuban regime has decided to conclude the 2025-2026 school year earlier, between June 15 and 30, instead of the originally planned July, citing severe logistical constraints that the country is grappling with.
This decision was announced on Tuesday by the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, during her appearance on the Mesa Redonda program alongside the Minister of Higher Education, Walter Baluja García. They discussed the necessary adjustments for the final phase of the school year.
Trujillo Barreto explained the rationale behind the early closure: “We are facing logistical and support limitations that make it prudent to move our school year closure to a period from June 15 to 30.”
The minister acknowledged that the official schedule had been published in the Official Gazette for July, according to Resolution 43/2025 from the Ministry of Education, yet the ongoing crisis necessitated this change.
Challenges Impacting the Education System
The challenges cited include a complete lack of fuel, frequent power outages, and transportation issues affecting both students and teachers.
“Each region has had to reduce admissions, boarding services, and in-person school days according to their specific circumstances. Long distances are traveled on foot by children, their families, and teachers alike,” the minister elaborated.
Trujillo Barreto clarified that this adjustment does not mean schools will be entirely closed; they will remain open to support the most vulnerable children. She emphasized that this is not about moving up exam schedules: “It is simply about initiating a gradual closure.”
Impact on Students and Teachers
At certain points during the school year, between 10,000 and 22,000 students were in exceptional circumstances, disconnected from their schools or living far away.
Special education will conclude even earlier in May, while graduation ceremonies will be held locally in neighborhoods, schools, and municipalities to avoid large gatherings. “We need to hold these graduations. They will be in the neighborhood, at the school, in the municipality. We cannot limit the opportunity for such a significant achievement,” emphasized Trujillo Barreto.
For university-level education, Baluja García noted that the academic year will mainly end in the first half of July, although some practical activities, research projects, and thesis discussions might extend beyond that date.
Changes in Higher Education Admissions
Simultaneously, the regime announced the removal of entrance exams for higher education for the 2026-2027 academic year, which will now rely on the accumulated academic average from pre-university studies, with guaranteed placements for all applicants.
This marks the third time the government has implemented adjustments of this scale in a school year, a process described by the minister as “extraordinarily sensitive, sacrificial, and a tremendous commitment,” often bordering on “everyday heroism.”
The Cuban educational system is also burdened by a shortage of approximately 24,000 teachers — leaving one in eight positions unfilled. Provinces such as Matanzas, Camagüey, and Sancti Spíritus each report individual shortages exceeding 2,000 teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Education Crisis
Why is the Cuban government ending the school year early?
The Cuban government has decided to end the school year early due to severe logistical problems, including a lack of fuel, frequent power outages, and transportation issues affecting students and teachers.
How are graduation ceremonies being handled?
Graduation ceremonies in Cuba will be conducted in local neighborhoods, schools, and municipalities to avoid large gatherings, ensuring that students still experience this significant milestone.
What changes have been made to higher education admissions?
For the 2026-2027 academic year, Cuba has eliminated entrance exams for higher education, opting instead to use the accumulated academic average from pre-university studies for admissions, guaranteeing placements for all students.