In the community of Los Ángeles, located in the municipality of Vertientes, Camagüey, educators and staff at Vicente Chávez Mixed School are facing a dire situation. For two months, they have not received their salaries, leaving numerous families struggling to meet their most fundamental needs.
This disturbing news was brought to light on Facebook by Yerenis Cabrera León, the daughter of one of the school's employees. She revealed that her family had kept the issue from her for weeks to avoid causing distress.
"Today, I discovered that my father and all the staff at that school haven't been paid for two months," she wrote.
According to her account, teachers and other employees have not received wages since May, despite continuing to work under conditions described as "appalling." The sole explanation provided by the authorities is the repeated claim that "there is no money."
"It's a large school, with numerous teachers, yet these same educators don't have a meal on their plate today. But 'there is no money' is the constant response... No money, no shame, no dignity, no respect," she lamented.
The post was shared by the page Vertientinos por el Mundo and quickly spread among users both on and off the island.
Education System Under Severe Strain
The non-payment of salaries exacerbates the crisis plaguing Cuba's educational system.
Teachers earn between 2,500 and 3,000 Cuban pesos monthly, roughly equivalent to six to ten dollars at the informal exchange rate, which is insufficient given the high cost of living on the island.
Simultaneously, the 2025-2026 school year began in Camagüey with over 2,000 teaching positions unfilled, while the national shortfall exceeds 24,000 educators.
The combination of low wages, missed payments, and deteriorating working conditions has hastened the exodus of professionals from the sector, deepening the crisis in Cuba's public education system.
In concluding her post, Cabrera León encapsulated the sense of helplessness felt by many Cuban families.
"What a great sadness. A country that was once so beautiful, now reduced to ashes," she wrote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher Salaries in Cuba
Why haven't teachers in Camagüey been paid for two months?
The authorities have stated that the reason for the unpaid salaries is a lack of funding.
How much do Cuban teachers typically earn?
Cuban teachers generally earn between 2,500 to 3,000 Cuban pesos monthly, which is approximately six to ten dollars at the informal exchange rate.
What is the current teacher vacancy situation in Camagüey?
At the start of the 2025-2026 school year, Camagüey had over 2,000 vacant teaching positions.