Matanzas, August 17 (RHC)-- Cuban Education Minister Ena Elsa Velázquez said on Monday that Matanzas province is ready to resume the 2019-2020 school year in September, in compliance with health and hygiene measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in any educational institution.

To date, the province complies with all the necessary indicators for the reopening of its educational institutions on September 1st, and then begin the 2020-2021 school year, with the fundamental objective of ensuring the health of students and teachers.

"We know the context in which we are and that is why the collective discipline of all those involved in the teaching process is key in order to successfully complete the current school year and start the next one.  Each school knows the role it plays in order to maintain the quality of teaching and the rigour of evaluations," said Ena Elsa during a meeting with sector managers.

She explained that like the rest of the country, with the exception of Havana, the course that begins again in Matanzas is adjusted according to the curriculum of each school, with priority in primary and secondary education for Spanish, Mathematics and History, while pre-university and technical-professional education is adapted according to their academic profiles.

Velázquez noted that there are still details to work on, fundamentally linked to the capacity of school enrolments and alternatives are being sought in order to avoid overcrowding and thus protect students.

According to the Minister, Matanzas has better conditions than previous years for the resumption of the school year, and although deficiencies persist in the buildings of some educational institutions, growth is noted in almost all parameters of education in the territory.

Edilberto Casanova, provincial director of education, said that there has been an increase in teaching staff compared to previous periods and there is a 96 percent completion rate.