A Cuban mother captured the essence of the first day of the 2026-2027 school year for countless families on the island in just over a minute: power outages, no bread, no water, and a school uniform that needed ironing at the last minute. Her video, shared on TikTok on September 1st, garnered over 62,000 views, reflecting the daily struggles faced by Cubans.
Identified as @yaneisycanta_98, the mother recorded the video early that morning, her eyes heavy with sleep and urgency. "The school year has started in Cuba and you can tell I'm still very sleepy, but there's no other choice, so let's get to it," her video begins.
A Morning of Challenges
The main issue was a familiar one in Cuba: no electricity. Her home remained without power until seven in the morning on the first day of school, preventing her from ironing her son's uniform using the electrical grid.
The solution came through a portable battery, commonly referred to in Cuba as an "ecoflor." "Thank God the ecoflor solves many problems because I can't plug the iron into my battery," she explained, highlighting the constant improvisation required for daily life on the island.
Beginning the School Year Amid Scarcity
Beyond the uniform, the mother bluntly listed the shortages marking the start of the new school year: "The school year is beginning with a crisis I can't even explain, with shortages of all kinds, especially no electricity, no bread, no water, etc."
When the electricity finally returned, the relief was immediate but bittersweet. "The power came back at seven in the morning, thankfully, so I could make breakfast properly," she said, while pondering aloud about how to wash the uniform, whether the baker would come by, and if there would be bread: "Because that's how things are here in Cuba."
The Dilemma of Sending Children to School
Many parents opted not to send their children to school that day, the TikTok user noted, and she concluded her video by saluting those who did: "My respect to all those mothers who struggle and sacrifice for their children so they can go to school well-fed and rested."
The debate over whether to send children to school had been heated in the weeks leading up. Cuban mothers were divided on the issue, publicly expressing doubts due to the lack of basic conditions, while the Communist Party of Cuba labeled the start of the school year as "another act of heroism," implicitly acknowledging the severity of the situation.
Education Minister Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto admitted to "tremendous difficulties" but reaffirmed the start date without changes, dismissing rumors of postponement that had circulated on social media throughout August.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuban Schools
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban families at the start of the school year?
The main challenges include frequent power outages, lack of basic necessities such as bread and water, and inadequate resources to prepare school uniforms.
How do Cuban families cope with frequent power outages?
Many families rely on portable batteries, known as "ecoflors," to manage essential tasks that require electricity, such as ironing clothes.
Why did some parents choose not to send their children to school on the first day?
Parents were concerned about the lack of basic conditions and resources, which made them hesitant to send their children to school under such challenging circumstances.