A Cuban woman living in Miami, known on TikTok as Yeni&John (@yenisleidysolis), posted a video on Thursday denouncing the collapse of the educational system in Cuba. She was responding to critics of her previous comments about the island's schools.
"Stop defending the indefensible," she asserts at the start of the video, making it clear she has no intention of sugar-coating her assessment of Cuba's educational reality.
Systemic Issues in Cuban Education
One of her most striking critiques highlights the perverse incentives within the system: if a student fails a grade, the teacher's salary is negatively impacted. "Nowadays, students advance to the next grade level without understanding basic concepts. Why? Because if a student fails, the teacher's pay is reduced. This is not a method for effective teaching," she states on TikTok.
This issue is not isolated. The Cuban Ministry of Education has policies that prevent students from failing, leading to a widespread practice of artificially promoting students. Reports have surfaced of teachers providing exam answers to students during tests.
Personal Experiences and Broader Implications
The woman shares her daughter's experience, who spent nearly two years with teachers who were frequently absent. "One teacher wouldn't show up, then another would come and go, and months would pass with my daughter just playing instead of learning," she describes. She also notes that from a class of 20, only five students regularly attend, and when a teacher does show up, they often don't teach due to the lack of students.
The dire situation is supported by stark statistics. The 2024-2025 school year in Cuba started with a shortage of 24,000 teachers, accounting for 12.5% of teaching positions. This shortfall persisted into the 2025-2026 cycle. In Sancti Spíritus, teacher coverage dropped to 68%, and in Camagüey, teachers have reported not being paid for two months.
Economic Pressures on Educators
The exodus of teachers is largely driven by economic factors. Primary school teachers earn between 2,500 and 3,000 Cuban pesos per month, equivalent to six to ten dollars on the informal exchange market, while the basic cost of living exceeds 25,000 pesos. The TikToker bluntly summarizes the situation: "Doctors and teachers, after years of study, have left their professions to work in private businesses or restaurants because they cannot survive on their meager school salaries."
Health System Critiques
Her criticism extends to the health system. She reminisces that in her time, people discreetly brought food to doctors. Now, she claims, it's blatant: "If you don't bring something in hand, you don't even get in line. You're not allowed to enter the clinic without a bribe, and you might need to bring your own needle for injections."
The 2025-2026 school year ended early, from June 15 to 30, due to an energy crisis and fuel shortages. The regime also canceled university entrance exams for that cycle, a decision reflecting the institutional decay the TikToker describes in her video.
"It's getting worse every day; nothing works. I'm ashamed to say it, but I won't hide the truth," she concludes, summarizing the collapse of a system that the regime still touts as one of its main achievements.
Understanding the Educational Crisis in Cuba
What are the main criticisms of the Cuban educational system?
The main criticisms include perverse incentives for teachers, artificial student promotions, and frequent teacher absenteeism. These issues contribute to a decline in educational quality.
Why are Cuban teachers leaving their profession?
Cuban teachers are leaving due to economic pressures. Their salaries are insufficient to cover basic living expenses, driving them to seek better opportunities outside their profession.
How has the health system in Cuba been affected?
The health system is also facing challenges, with patients needing to bring their own supplies and bribes becoming commonplace to receive medical care.