A Cuban mother, known on social media as Zona Pau, shared a video on Facebook detailing the financial burden of preparing her child for school. The expenses totaled over 30,000 Cuban pesos, equivalent to nearly ten months of the island's minimum wage.
The video testimony, which has garnered over 78,000 views, comes as the school year begins amidst power outages, uniform shortages, and a deficit of at least 24,000 teachers.
Zona's breakdown of expenses is staggering: the school uniform—consisting of two pairs of shorts and five shirts at 1,200 pesos each—cost her 8,400 pesos. Five pairs of socks added up to 4,400 pesos; a belt was 600 pesos; and the mandatory preschool wipes were 250 pesos each.
The school supplies alone demanded 1,000 pesos, while the paper to cover three notebooks cost 500 pesos. A large notebook was priced at 1,600 pesos, and a small one for home study was 200 pesos. Snack items, such as a water bottle and wipes, were purchased in dollar stores at 1.55 and 2.45 dollars each.
"Prices are through the roof. It's extremely difficult to find everything, and I know not everyone can afford these expenses," Zona expressed.
At the time of the video recording, she noted that she hadn't completed her purchases yet. She still needed a cot, snack services, and other school-required items. "In total, I estimate it could easily reach up to 50,000 pesos to buy everything needed for school," she speculated.
Zona Pau, identifying herself as a "first-time mom," hoped her post would become a platform for other mothers to share their concerns.
Challenges Facing Cuban Families at the Start of the School Year
"For many families, the start of the school year, which should be a time of joy and celebration, has become a significant worry," she remarked.
As of July, the minimum wage in Cuba stands at 3,210 pesos per month after a 53% increase from the previous 2,100 pesos. Despite this, the expenditure of over 30,000 pesos by this mother represents nearly ten months of that base salary.
According to a young Cuban's calculations after visiting various stores, the basic back-to-school package—including a backpack, shoes, snacks, and essential supplies—costs around 34,600 pesos.
The situation is even more dire when considering other ongoing expenses: snacks and breakfast can exceed 10,000 pesos per month per child, not including transportation.
The onset of the new school year has once again placed many Cuban families in a state of anxiety over acquiring the necessary supplies for their children amid shortages and inflated prices.
At the end of August, an anonymous post in the Facebook group "Madres Cubanas Luchadoras 2" captured the daily struggles of countless women in Cuba: "What will we do, the mothers who can't afford to buy backpacks and shoes for our children? And what about the snacks when we don't even have bread with oil because there's nothing to eat, and how will we afford school supplies?"
Cuban School Year Costs: Key Questions Answered
How much does it cost to prepare a child for school in Cuba?
Preparing a child for school in Cuba can cost over 30,000 pesos, equivalent to nearly ten months of the minimum wage on the island.
What are some of the specific expenses involved in school preparation?
Expenses include uniforms, school supplies, snacks, and additional items required by schools, with some costs reaching 50,000 pesos.
How do current wages compare to the cost of school supplies in Cuba?
Despite the recent increase to 3,210 pesos, the minimum wage in Cuba is insufficient to cover the high costs of school supplies, which can equate to nearly ten months of wages.