The Cuban content creator Katherin, known on Instagram as @aprendedorajeje, has sparked a debate on social media after posting a video where she calculates how much money she spent during her university years in Cuba.
Although higher education on the island is officially free, the reality shows that actual access to these studies entails significant costs for Cuban families.
In her video, Katherin breaks down the expenses she faced from her first to her last year of university. Between transportation and light snacks, the total amount came to approximately 108,480 Cuban pesos.
"My condolences to the scholarship recipients, you are on another level; don't do the math that causes heart complications," she commented with irony.
The young woman details that in her first year, her weekly expenses were around 640 pesos, while in recent years, with the rise in transportation costs and inflation in Cuba, the figure has skyrocketed to over 1,000 pesos per week.
In a sarcastic tone, he concludes that he could recover the invested money "in 27 months of work... without eating or paying for electricity," and adds: "Well, I don't have electricity."
Free education, but inaccessible for many young people
These types of testimonies highlight a reality that is becoming increasingly widespread in Cuba. The university does not charge tuition or require direct payment, but the country's economic decline makes access to higher education a luxury for many families.
Public transportation is irregular and expensive, food prices keep rising, and internet fees—essential for virtual classes and access to academic resources—represent an additional burden.
Since 2020, the year Katherin started her studies, Cuban universities have had to adapt to extended periods of virtual classes. However, mobile data packages are prohibitive for a large portion of the student body.
This is further compounded by the constant price increases from the state telecommunications monopoly, ETECSA, such as its recent rate hike that has caused significant discontent and an academic strike in numerous faculties across the country.
Students, especially those on scholarships from rural areas, face even greater challenges. The low stipend they receive, combined with poor living conditions in university residences, makes the academic experience one marked by precariousness.
While the Cuban government continues to promote the free nature of its education system as an achievement of the Revolution, skepticism is growing on social media along with reports about the lack of freedoms and the repression faced by university students who criticize the regime.
The debate sparked by this publication highlights the urgent need to rethink the material conditions surrounding access to education in Cuba. In a country with rampant inflation, depressed wages, and collapsed public services, every peso matters... and studying, although not paid for with money, comes with an increasingly high price.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Costs of Studying in Cuba and ETECSA's Rate Hike
How much does it really cost to study at the University of Havana?
Although it is said that higher education in Cuba is free, students face significant costs. According to Katherin, a Cuban student, these expenses can reach 108,480 Cuban pesos just for transportation and snacks during their university studies.
Why is it difficult to access higher education in Cuba?
Access to higher education in Cuba is limited by the country's economic decline, which raises the costs of transportation, food, and the internet needed for virtual classes. This makes studying a luxury for many Cuban families.
What do Cuban students think about the ETECSA rate hike?
Students have expressed strong opposition to ETECSA's rate hike, viewing it as a measure that legitimizes inequality and restricts access to the internet. They have organized academic strikes and demanded fairer and more equitable rates.
How does the ETECSA rate hike affect internet connectivity in Cuba?
The price hike by ETECSA severely limits internet access in Cuba, forcing many to pay in foreign currency to obtain a service beyond the basic level. This has been criticized as a "digital apartheid" that exacerbates social inequality.
What has been the Cuban government's response to the student protests?
The Cuban government has maintained an inflexible stance towards the student protests, justifying the rise in fees as an economic necessity and warning of a potential "technological collapse" if these measures are not implemented.
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