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While Cuban provinces like Camagüey face a critical teacher shortage for the upcoming school year, the regime continues to send brigades of teachers abroad.
The Embassy of Cuba in Jamaica announced on its social media about the arrival of 16 new Cuban teachers at public schools on the Caribbean island, who “reaffirmed their commitment to the homeland, solidarity, and the humanism of the Commander in Chief.”
The diplomat Fermín Quiñones celebrated on X (formerly Twitter) the "pleasant exchange" with the teachers and highlighted the international cooperation with the Greater Antilles.
However, the situation within Cuba is dramatic. In Camagüey alone, there is a shortage of over 2,000 teachers for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, which means that a quarter of the students in the province will not have full classes.
The coverage barely reaches 75.5% of the required staff, with critical areas such as Technical and Vocational Education (51%) and pre-university education (62.9%).
In the case of Sancti Spíritus, the teacher coverage for the upcoming school year stands at 68.2%, making it one of the most affected regions in the country, with an enrollment of just over 60,000 students, reported the official newspaper Escambray.
Authorities acknowledge that the shortage of teachers is largely due to the exodus of professionals to the private sector, low enrollment in education programs, and dissatisfaction with low salaries.
Meanwhile, in Cuba, contracts are being improvised by the hour, retirees are being brought back, and other professionals are being pressured to fill temporary vacancies. Measures that the educators themselves consider to be merely temporary solutions and do not address the root of the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Teacher Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a shortage of teachers in Cuba, especially in Camagüey?
The teacher shortage in Cuba is primarily due to the exodus of professionals to the private sector and discontent over low salaries. In Camagüey, this crisis manifests with over 2,000 unfilled vacancies, severely impacting the education of 98,000 students. Furthermore, the low enrollment in education programs and the lack of incentives for teachers exacerbate the situation.
How is the export of Cuban teachers to countries like Jamaica affecting the educational situation in Cuba?
The export of Cuban teachers to countries like Jamaica is leaving the Cuban education system without enough educators. While the Cuban government sends teachers abroad to fulfill international agreements, within Cuba, schools are facing a critical shortage that affects the quality of education and leaves thousands of students without complete classes.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the shortage of teachers?
The Cuban government has implemented temporary measures such as hourly hiring and the re-employment of retirees. However, these actions are seen as temporary and do not address the root of the problem. Furthermore, professionals from other sectors have been pressured to fill vacancies, but these strategies have not been sufficient to resolve the educational crisis.
What is the salary situation for teachers in Cuba?
Teachers' salaries in Cuba are low and have been severely affected by inflation and the devaluation of the Cuban peso. The average salary of a teacher ranges from 2,500 to 3,000 Cuban pesos, which is insufficient to cover basic needs due to rampant inflation. This has contributed to discontent and the exodus of professionals from the education sector.
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