An old pedagogical school in Cuba now lies in ruins, evoking deep sadness among former students and teachers who fondly recall the happy times they spent there. Once known as the Camila Henríquez Ureña Pedagogical Branch in Caimito, Artemisa, the school was where the first contingents of the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Pedagogical Detachment were trained but is now completely abandoned.
"It's heartbreaking to see what you have become. Those who studied here must have cherished memories of this place. Many truly excellent professionals came from this school and others like it. When I tell my children my story, I'll have to mention all the real friends and memories from here. To those who are no longer with us, like some teachers, I honor their undeniable professionalism," shared Diosvani Orta on his Facebook wall.
His post prompted numerous comments from former students and staff members who lament the school's decay, a stark reflection of the declining state of education in Cuba. Comments like "My God, so many memories and history, all broken," "What a disaster, this is how every institution in this country ends up," "Those who saw it before and see it now, it truly makes you want to cry," and "I spent my last year of high school there, it's sad to see what it was and what it has become, like many others," capture the widespread sentiment.
The Rise and Fall of an Educational Beacon
Established in 1975, the school was once the cradle of the Rubén Martínez Villena Higher Pedagogical Institute, where thousands of young people trained as educators during a time when the government proudly showcased its educational system. Now, surrounded by overgrowth, with shattered windows and damaged structures, the building has been neglected for years by the authorities, standing amidst fallen trees and others threatening to collapse onto it.
"Total destruction. If the branch is like this in plain view, you wouldn't want to see C3, lost in the thicket, completely destroyed, and the ones that still function are prisons," criticized Raúl Capote from Artemisa.
Voices of Nostalgia and Frustration
"I watched it from its early construction stages, and I graduated from there with a degree in Primary Education, with excellent teachers. It was the pride of the region, respected and well-maintained," recalled a former teacher. Another ex-student lamented, "It's sad that almost all changes, due to regionalism or whatever, have been for the worse. Instead of maintaining and improving, everything has deteriorated. Well, what can I say, the same has happened with everything."
"What many don't know is the immense number of books, notebooks, etc., that were lost, or rather, allowed to be lost—very valuable books. It's the harsh reality," revealed a resident from Caimito.
"Those of us who saw it grow and yield good results, as well as other services it provided to the community, find it uncomfortable to see its current state of neglect and deterioration," expressed a resident of Havana. "It was a gem, with beautiful gardens. I inaugurated it in 1975, such beautiful memories," said a teacher.
A Community's Mourning
A former assistant principal of the school expressed that seeing it now feels like losing a beloved family member. "I feel nostalgia, melancholy, but also a rage that overwhelms me. How can they allow such destruction? Truly, that's how my heart feels. Generations of students and teachers giving their best for so many years," she noted, reflecting on the place she once took immense pride in.
"Today, I feel like her too—wilted, destroyed, as if something inside me has died. I even miss the little dogs we lived with and fed. Doesn't it matter to anyone? That's how we are," she emphasized.
"But what happened there? It's so sad to see schools that were once icons of education in Ceiba or Caimito in such a deplorable state. How many events were held in the branch's theater," a Cuban recalled from Miami.
"How far does the neglect for the people go? According to them, everything belongs to the people, but the reality is that what belongs to the people is abandoned, while only some hotels and the homes of the elite are maintained," criticized another individual from Amsterdam.
"A school where you had to walk along the edges because the floors were always spotless, with a biology lab that was top-notch, and first-rate teachers," detailed another alumna.
"And there's such a need for housing; people live crowded, and it doesn't matter to anyone," pointed out a resident of Artemisa.
Exploring the Decline of Education in Cuba
Why is the Camila Henríquez Ureña Pedagogical Branch in ruins?
The school has been abandoned for years, reflecting the broader decline of the education system in Cuba due to governmental neglect and lack of maintenance.
What significance did the school have in its prime?
In its prime, the school was a training ground for the first contingents of the Manuel Ascunce Domenech Pedagogical Detachment and was once a source of pride for the region, producing many notable educators.
How have former students and teachers reacted to the school's deterioration?
Former students and teachers have expressed deep sadness, nostalgia, and frustration over the school's current state, sharing memories and stories of its past significance.