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Santiago de Cuba was the province with the best results in the country for the entrance exams to Higher Education, as after the re-evaluation process, it was found that 84.25% of the students who participated passed the subjects of Mathematics, Spanish Literature, and the History of Cuba.
It is a difference of more than 37 percentage points above the national average, highlighted a report from the official newspaper Sierra Maestra.
However, this officially applauded result only represents a minority of the total number of students in the region. Of the 3,450 graduates from this school year in Santiago de Cuba, only 1,137 took the tests, which is 32.9% of the total. The other two-thirds were left out of the process, and the information released does not explain why.
Despite this gap, local authorities present the data as a triumph of the local educational model. The head of the Provincial Pre-University Department of the General Direction of Education, Mariela Douglas Taylor, attributed the success to a student-centered pedagogical approach, the design of specific activities by center, and the role of families in the preparation. She also emphasized that this is the sixth consecutive year the province has led the national results.
In detail, Santiago de Cuba achieved an 85.51% pass rate in Mathematics, 99.82% in Spanish Literature, and 98.86% in Cuban History. Among those who took the exams, 27 students attained the highest score in all three subjects, and 18 schools achieved a 100% pass rate.
Municipalities such as Tercer Frente, Guamá, and Contramaestre exhibited notable figures, similar to the IPVCE Antonio Maceo, which exceeded the national average for this type of institution by 15.5 points, the source specified.
The management informed that all those approved have already been assigned a university course. "At this time, applications are being received from those who chose not to take these exams, for whom various options are assured based on the continuation of studies in Higher Education," it noted.
But beyond the emphasis on the achievements of one side, a central question remains unanswered: why did more than 65% of graduates from Santiago not participate in the entrance exams for Higher Education? The official statement avoids the topic and merely celebrates percentages without context. The reality behind the figures remains unexplained.
Entrance exams are the primary means of admission to the day programs at Cuban universities.
Other modes of access to higher education include competition winners (international, national, or provincial) who choose University Colleges, individuals demobilized from Active Military Service or Female Volunteer Service, cadets from the Ministry of the Interior, students from the distance learning program, students from EIDE, and those applying for programs with special requirements (such as International Relations or the Higher Institute of Art), among others.
This year, the admission process to Higher Education in Cuba showed a modest improvement compared to the previous year, although the overall results remain low and uneven.
According to Deisy Fraga Cedré, Director of Undergraduate Professional Training, of the 22,804 applicants, only 18,402 took the exams (80.69%), and of those, only 51.5% passed the three required subjects: Mathematics, Spanish, and History of Cuba.
This year in Guantánamo, only 47.2% of the students who took the exam passed the Mathematics test.
In the case of Las Tunas, only 464 students managed to pass the three required exams, while more than 600 young people didn't even show up for the tests.
The authorities in the region acknowledged that the results of the province were "modestly lower" than the previous year, and there were sources of income with very high failure rates. All participants from the School of Sports Initiation (EIDE) failed at least one test, and the Competition also recorded "very high figures for failures."
For the past two years, the Ministry of Higher Education in Cuba has maintained a schedule for offering university programs, which includes those who have suspended their studies and even those who did not show up for the entrance exams.
In April, it was confirmed that access to university programs and higher technical training for students who skip the entrance exams or even for those who do not attend the tests will be allowed. Approval with a minimum of 60 points will not be an essential requirement to secure a spot at a university, stated the official newspaper Granma.
Shortly before, it was announced that pre-university students wishing to pursue a degree in Medical Sciences will not even have to take entrance exams, further easing the requirements for access to higher education.
Recently, the newspaper Escambray, from Sancti Spíritus, acknowledged that for some years now, "the number of young people preparing for and taking entrance exams has decreased significantly, whether due to personal, family, or economic reasons."
Frequently Asked Questions about Admission to Higher Education in Cuba
How many students from Santiago de Cuba passed the university entrance exams?
84.25% of the students from Santiago de Cuba who took the entrance exams passed. However, only 32.9% of graduates presented themselves for the tests, which represents a small fraction of the total number of students.
Why do so many students in Cuba not show up for entrance exams?
The official statement does not explain why more than 65% of Santiago students did not participate in the entrance exams. However, the context suggests that factors such as lack of motivation, economic difficulties, and the relaxation of university admission requirements may influence the decision not to attend.
How does the easing of requirements affect higher education in Cuba?
The relaxation of requirements allows access to university courses even for those who fail or do not show up for entrance exams. This has been criticized for devaluing academic merit and diminishing the culture of effort in the process of entering higher education.
What are the options for university admission without taking exams in Cuba?
There are various ways to gain admission to the university without taking exams, such as university colleges and direct selection based on performance. Places are also granted through academic competitions and to students who do not attend exams for justified reasons.
What impact does the educational crisis have on university admission results in Cuba?
The educational crisis in Cuba is reflected in the low and unequal results of entrance exams. Factors such as the lack of teachers, the deterioration of educational infrastructure, and student demotivation contribute to poor performance and a decline in participation in the exams.
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