Cuban singer La Crema has taken to Facebook with a new song that humorously critiques the beginning of the school year in Cuba. In just one minute and 21 seconds, the song paints a more vivid picture of the reality faced by families and students on the island than any official speech could.
Titled "Este curso vengo que no quiero muela," the song kicks off with irony that sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "Welcome to the school year, in this course we need blah blah blah." From there, the lyrics lay out a relentless inventory of school-related hardships, all to an urban beat.
Ill-fitting uniforms, shoes with loose soles, non-existent snacks, and textbooks that students must print themselves—these are the stark realities of Cuba's educational system that La Crema highlights with his unique humor.
"There's one notebook for two subjects / No money, times are tough / I've already spent a ton of cash / You'd have to be a millionaire, it's madness," he details.
The School Director's Demands
The song's portrayal of the school director deserves special mention. According to the lyrics, this official is a demanding figure, asking for everything from lunch to parents cleaning the classroom, and not forgetting a gift on Teacher's Day.
"They already asked me for a fan / to paint the classroom, but I'm no painter," La Crema sings, dressed in a school uniform.
Power Outages and Resignation
Of course, the song also touches on the frequent power outages. It ends with a sense of total resignation: "If the power goes out, I can't do my homework / No one can study like this, no one can go to school / God, and on top of it, the power's out. I'm not going to school tomorrow, man."
The video has garnered over 56,700 views, a testament to the Santiago-born artist's knack for capturing the public's sentiment.
A Satirical Snapshot of Reality
While La Crema turns these issues into parody, they accurately reflect the school year that began on September 1st amid power outages lasting over 20 hours a day in some areas.
Even the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, admitted that schools would open under "very difficult" conditions, plagued by shortages of uniforms and materials, teacher coverage issues, and struggles to maintain school lunches.
Meanwhile, the Communist Party dubbed the start of the school year as "another act of heroism" and organized community movements to "beautify" schools, which in reality meant asking parents to paint classrooms.
FAQs about Cuba's Educational Challenges
What does La Crema's song satirize?
La Crema's song satirizes the beginning of the school year in Cuba, highlighting the numerous challenges faced by students and families, such as lack of resources and frequent power outages.
How has the public reacted to La Crema's song?
The song has been well-received, accumulating over 56,700 views, which indicates that it resonates with the public's experiences and frustrations.
What are some specific issues highlighted in the song?
The song highlights issues such as ill-fitting uniforms, lack of school supplies, and the expectation for parents to provide resources and labor, like painting classrooms.