With the 2026-2027 academic year about to commence in Cuba, Education Minister Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto has admitted that schools will begin the new term on Tuesday under extremely challenging circumstances. The start of the school year is plagued by a lack of uniforms and materials, teacher shortages, and difficulties in maintaining school meal programs.
Speaking on the "Revista Buenos Días" program on Canal Caribe this Monday, Trujillo emphasized that the preparations have required the educational staff to remain virtually engaged throughout the summer.
"There has been virtually no rest. The vast majority of our directors, educators, and a significant portion of our staff have not left the classrooms," she stated.
Resource Scarcity and School Meals
The minister acknowledged that the academic year will commence with a limited supply of resources. Students will have to manage with a "basic adjusted standard" for notebooks, and similar constraints will apply to teachers who will receive a minimal supply of essential items like paper and pens.
School meals pose another major challenge. Trujillo mentioned efforts to collaborate with local governments and both state and non-state actors to ensure essential services, yet admitted that sustaining these services will require "tremendous effort."
Uniform Shortages and Flexibility
A noticeable absence this year will be school uniforms. Trujillo conceded that not all students will have them and assured that no student will be turned away for attending without a uniform.
"No child will be prevented from entering school for not wearing a uniform," she affirmed.
She further explained that due to the country's ongoing struggles, it has been "unfortunately impossible" to provide uniforms for all, though authorities will monitor "whatever production is achieved."
Families, communities, and Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) are taking initiatives to locate available clothing, while schools are advised to relax their requirements.
"Students should wear comfortable clothing because the focus is on learning. Comfortable, simple attire," she explained.
Teacher Coverage Issues
In addition to resource shortages, the Ministry of Education faces another significant hurdle: teacher coverage. Trujillo identified Havana as having the "most complex" situation, with similar problems in central provinces like Sancti Spíritus, and noted that Camagüey is less stable than in previous years.
To address these coverage issues, the Ministry is exploring various strategies, such as the "Educating for Love" program, which involves university students, as well as mobilizing former education professionals and specialists from other sectors to assist in schools. Additionally, some teachers will be tasked with working at multiple institutions or handling several groups.
Trujillo acknowledged that students from pedagogical university programs and mid-level teaching careers will also supplement their training in schools, providing "another force entering schools to compensate for the current coverage challenges."
A Contextual Approach to Education
Given the vast differences in conditions across regions, Trujillo advocates for what she calls a "very contextual" school year, with solutions tailored to specific classrooms and students within the same institution.
"Decisions will be made uniquely for certain institutions, groups, or even individual students," she explained.
The new school year follows a 2025-2026 term severely impacted by the country's energy and economic crisis, which forced an early closure between June 15 and 30 due to power outages, fuel shortages, and transportation issues.
Trujillo highlighted that between 17,000 and 23,000 children were somewhat "disconnected from their institutions" during the previous academic year. This number should decrease with the return of boarding students and specific solutions for those living far from schools, including the establishment of classrooms closer to certain communities and transportation alternatives.
Vocational pre-university schools (IPVCE) will initially maintain in-person classes with staggered schedules, though Trujillo hinted at possible changes in home visit frequencies, not only in these centers but also in other boarding institutions.
The difficult situation contrasts with the political rhetoric leading up to the new term. The Communist Party of Cuba recently called the start of the school year "another act of heroism," while Miguel Díaz-Canel dismissed claims that Cuba's educational system is collapsing.
Trujillo provided a more vivid description of what students, families, and teachers will encounter starting Tuesday:
"The basic, essential conditions are guaranteed for a school that will operate differently but will still be there."
FAQs About Cuba's Education Challenges
What are the main challenges facing Cuban schools this year?
Cuban schools are grappling with shortages of uniforms, educational materials, and teachers, as well as difficulties in maintaining school meal programs.
How is the Cuban Ministry of Education addressing the teacher shortage?
The Ministry is using programs like "Educating for Love," involving university students and former education professionals, to cover teacher shortages. They are also employing strategies where a single teacher works in multiple schools or manages several groups.