The pro-regime outlet Cubadebate recently declared that the 2026-2027 school year will commence on September 1, accompanied by a photo of a brightly lit, well-decorated classroom filled with cheerful children.
According to a Facebook post, the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, embarked on a nationwide tour last Thursday to "verify the conditions established in educational institutions" to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
However, the actual circumstances described by parents, teachers, and students are starkly different from the official rhetoric. The response was swift and critical: hundreds of Cubans flooded the post with questions and criticisms that the regime left unanswered.
"With what electricity, with what uniforms, with what water, with what snacks?" questioned one user.
Another commenter was more explicit about the educational repercussions: "How does one learn without eight hours of sleep? How to concentrate if many are hungry and even without water to drink, dirty because there's nothing to wash with?"
"Those children won't learn anything because the brain doesn't function without food and sleep deprivation," another observer concluded.
Amid a severe energy crisis, with power outages lasting over 20 hours a day, many adults consider it outrageous to subject their children to a school day after a sleepless night.
"Children who can't even sleep, cooking something decent is an ordeal. Uniforms are useless, backpacks and shoes are insanely expensive, how do you manage a snack with the salaries parents earn?" wrote another user.
Several comments painted a grim picture.
"Schools are falling apart, tables and chairs are broken, blackboards unusable (...) if they delve deeper into the issue, they'd have to shut down the schools. And let's not even talk about the lack of study materials. The shortage of teachers, what can I say?" lamented one commentator.
"If students aren't prepared to start this circus, the teachers even less so. Add to that, the last school year ended early due to a critical situation, and this time it's triply worse. This isn't education; it's torture for teachers and students," declared another.
A mother voiced her stance unequivocally: "My children are kids, they shouldn't have to sacrifice for anything. If there's no electricity, they won't go; if there's no snack, they won't go; if there's no water, they won't go; if there's no uniform, they won't go."
Many parents advocate delaying the start of the school year.
"There's nothing, and they say the blackouts will get worse, leaving even less. What a travesty, starting a school year without conditions, just to pretend everything is fine...," criticized a mother.
Many even question the practical value of studying in Cuba, "so that at the end of their lives their degrees are useless...".
"In the end, studying so much in this country is pointless; look at how little a doctor makes and if their salary is enough...," reminded one user.
Adding to the blackouts and material decay of schools is the teacher crisis. The education system faces a shortage of at least 24,000 teachers, equivalent to 12.5% of the required positions. Just this Friday, a teacher from Holguín publicly challenged Díaz-Canel, denouncing the lack of pay since May.
Families face enormous pressure to resolve essential issues like snacks, shoes, school supplies, and backpacks.
The food situation is equally dire. The World Food Program reported that 48.5% of Cuban students aged six to 11 receive no meals or snacks at school.
The previous school year concluded early due to energy issues, wrapping up between June 15 and 30, weeks ahead of schedule. Now, the regime announces a new start as if nothing has changed.
Understanding the Challenges of the Cuban Education System
What are the main issues faced by Cuban schools?
Cuban schools are grappling with severe resource shortages, including electricity, water, and educational materials. The lack of adequate facilities and a significant deficit in teaching staff further exacerbate the situation.
Why are parents concerned about the upcoming school year?
Parents are worried about the dire conditions their children face, such as prolonged power outages, lack of basic necessities like food and water, and the high cost of school supplies. These issues raise concerns about the quality and feasibility of education under such circumstances.
How is the teacher shortage affecting Cuban education?
The shortage of teachers, with a deficit of at least 24,000 positions, significantly impacts the quality of education. This lack leads to overcrowded classrooms and overworked staff, further compromising the learning environment.