Havana, June 23 (RHC-ACN)-- UNICEF's Cuba representative Maria Machicado highlighted in Havana the country's efforts toward improving the quality of education and generating space for exchanges among professors and education professionals from around the world.

During the opening of the 1st International Workshop on Secondary Education at Havana's Convention Center, Machicado stressed that adolescence is the most complex period in life and if not treated well can become the most difficult.

Addressing delegates from over 10 countries at the meeting, she said that Cuba is an example, with important actions aimed at strengthening the teaching-learning process in early years of life.

Referring to the importance of the event, the UNICEF representative said that the workshop serves as a platform to reflect on issues affecting adolescents, including sexual and reproductive health, abortion and teenage pregnancy.

The UNICEF representative also commented on bullying in schools, student attitude toward information technologies and communications and the values that must be instilled in young people at both school and home.

The Havana meeting gathers delegates from Angola, Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, United States, El Salvador, Colombia, Panama and Cuba.

Secondary education in the country has one thousand 180 centers and an enrollment of over 359,500 students, with 37,449 teachers.