In the town of Sumidero, within the Limonar municipality of Matanzas province, a dedicated teacher named Idalmis has transformed the porch of her own home into an impromptu classroom to welcome her students for the start of the 2026-2027 school year, which kicked off on September 1st.
The primary reason behind this unconventional setup is the severely deteriorated state of the Rigoberto Corcho López primary school, the only educational facility in the town, rendering it unsafe for both students and teachers.
Parents have raised concerns, highlighting that the school's restrooms are non-functional, the wooden structures are ravaged by termites, and sections of the roof have collapsed due to deteriorating beams.
Photographs taken by journalist Christian Arbolaez reveal the dire condition of the building: a roof open to the sky, walls suffering from dampness and peeling paint, doors missing handles, and a fallen tree surrounding the property.
Parents reported the situation to the Ministry of Education before classes began, but they have yet to receive any response or solution.
Faced with institutional silence, Idalmis took the only action available to her—opening her porch to ensure her students wouldn't miss the start of the school year.
"Her actions speak of dedication and commitment. But a teacher's porch should not be the solution to a school's neglect," Arbolaez commented when sharing the images.
The situation in Sumidero is not unique but rather indicative of the broader structural crisis plaguing education in Cuba. The 2026-2027 school year commenced with a national shortfall of 24,000 teachers, representing 12.5% of the required positions, and only 73% of teaching positions filled nationwide.
More than 380,000 students began the academic year without an assigned lead teacher, according to data collected by Infobae.
In Matanzas, the teacher shortage exceeds 2,000 positions, and the Limonar municipality was identified by provincial authorities in late August as one of the areas struggling with the distribution of school uniforms, with only 12% secured at the national level when classes started.
The decline in school infrastructure has led to serious incidents in recent months. In April, two children were injured when a ceiling panel fell in a Cuban school, and in Matanzas, the issue of deteriorating school buildings has been repeatedly documented.
Meanwhile, the official narrative insisted that the school year was beginning with "all conditions in place." The Communist Party of Cuba even hailed the start of the academic year as "another act of heroism," implicitly acknowledging the challenging conditions faced by teachers and students.
However, the parents of Sumidero are not seeking heroism; they demand the urgent repair of the Rigoberto Corcho López school and safe, dignified conditions for their children.
"Are these the 'conditions in place' that were so touted for starting the school year?" Arbolaez questioned in his concluding remarks.
Addressing the Education Crisis in Cuba
What prompted the teacher in Matanzas to teach from her porch?
The teacher decided to use her porch as a classroom due to the unsafe and ruinous condition of the only primary school in the town, making it unsuitable for students and teachers.
How significant is the teacher shortage in Cuba for the 2026-2027 school year?
Cuba is facing a significant teacher shortage for the 2026-2027 school year, with a national deficit of 24,000 teachers, impacting over 380,000 students who began the year without a lead teacher.
What incidents have occurred due to the deteriorating infrastructure of schools in Cuba?
The crumbling infrastructure has led to serious incidents, including an event in April where two children were injured by a falling ceiling panel in a Cuban school.