September 1, 2026 from Havana
More than 1.4 million students at all educational levels returned to the classroom today in Cuba, amid an intensification of the economic embargo imposed by the United States.
The new school year will involve more than 135,000 teachers in general education, while the sports system will enroll 13,350 students in the School Sports Initiation Programs.
According to Education Minister Naima Trujillo, the start of the school year represents an extraordinary effort by the nation given the current circumstances.
Trujillo reaffirmed the decision to maintain in-person instruction and adjusted the formats to the realities of each province and school.
During her appearance on the program “Mesa Redonda,” the minister acknowledged that the sector clearly recognizes the impact of the energy crisis and the lack of supplies on the educational community.
She emphasized that in-person attendance is essential, as interaction between students and teachers is a fundamental pillar for the holistic development of children and adolescents.
One of the new features of this school year is the implementation of the “educational zone,” a model designed to optimize human and material resources in each region.
The strategy goes beyond mere administrative reorganization and seeks to coordinate resources across different educational levels more efficiently, allowing elementary, secondary, and university schools to share the same space through staggered schedules.
In this new school year, teacher coverage ranks among the most pressing challenges.
The minister acknowledged the gaps in this area but highlighted the recruitment of university students and retired professionals to bolster classroom staff.
The shortage of school uniforms poses another challenge, stemming from power outages at textile mills and obstacles to importing raw materials.
In this regard, the minister called for flexibility and assured that assistance will be directed first to the most vulnerable students.
“Who knows if this historic 2026–2027 school year will end up serving as an example for the world?” the minister reflected on the television program, calling for transparency, creativity, and collective effort to address these limitations.
Source: Prensa Latina, translation Resumen Latinoamericano – English