Children and young people return today to the classrooms for the continuity of the 2021-2022 school year, which began last March, after having to be readjusted due to the presence of COVID-19 and the adoption of necessary measures to protect the health of all citizens.

By María Josefina Arce

Children and young people return today to the classrooms for the continuity of the 2021-2022 school year, which began last March, after having to be readjusted due to the presence of COVID-19 and the adoption of necessary measures to protect the health of all citizens.

Although the disease caused by the new coronavirus is under control and there is a high rate of immunization throughout the country, sanitary measures are being maintained in schools, while attention is being paid to the elimination of mosquito breeding sites due to the presence of dengue.

The authorities have worked intensely to guarantee the continuity of the school period, in view of the complex economic situation the nation is going through after more than two years of the pandemic which demanded the disbursement of substantial funds and the reinforcement of the US blockade.

In spite of the limited resources available, rehabilitation actions have been carried out in several educational centers during the vacation period.

This has been a priority for the Cuban authorities, who in various visits to the provinces, have made constant tours of the schools to learn about the maintenance actions and the existing conditions.

Another great effort has been to guarantee the basic study material for students at different levels of education, which historically has been provided free of charge to each child and young person. 

And as usual, before each school year, we have insisted on the preparation of the teaching staff, in order to guarantee the quality of the classes in the different subjects.

The conclusion of this school period has its characteristics in the different levels of education, since in higher education its culmination is later than the rest, since it includes the internships that young people carry out in work centers.

The authorities have made a great effort to give continuity to the 2021-2022 school year, even in special education centers, which require specific teaching resources.

In Cuba, access to education is a fundamental human right.   Every child and young person has the opportunity to improve themselves and prepare for life, and to this end, the state devotes 25% of its budget to this area.