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The province of Matanzas starts the 2025-2026 school year with a deficit of 2,033 teachers across all levels of education, a shortfall that the authorities are trying to address with hourly contracts, university students, and unqualified staff, despite the fact that more than 98,000 students will return to classrooms in over 500 educational institutions.
The teaching deficit was confirmed by the Deputy Director General of Provincial Education, Eledis Abreu Domech, who specified that out of a need for 9,511 teachers, only 7,478 positions are filled.
The alternative, he explained, has been to resort to 615 hourly contracts, 385 students from programs such as Educando por amor - a group made up of university students - along with librarians, psychologists, speech therapists, and production specialists.
The municipalities most affected are Matanzas, Colón, and Cárdenas, where even the IPVCE begins with a shortage of 10 teachers in key subjects such as Mathematics, Spanish, Biology, and Computer Science, reported the official newspaper Girón.
Authorities also acknowledge that pedagogical training is the most affected area, with only 191 new admissions, a figure that jeopardizes the replacement of positions in the coming years.
Meanwhile, families are hoping for “good teachers” for their children, although most young people avoid enrolling in educational programs.
The situation is complicated by the absence of printed books—19 titles are still missing—for the grades affected by the Third Improvement Program, the reassignment of students to at least five institutions due to construction issues, and the lack of uniforms at levels such as tenth grade.
This is compounded by complaints regarding incorrect sizing and the ongoing crisis of transportation and food in the internal facilities.
Despite the problems, local authorities assure that the minimum material base is guaranteed, including "the complete course notebooks with adjusted standards" and two pencils per student, along with basic resources for students in vulnerable situations.
The course will officially open with an event at the René Fraga Moreno primary school in the provincial capital, .
The province of Sancti Spíritus will also begin the 2025-2026 school year with about 2,000 teaching positions unfilled, resulting in only a 68% coverage of educators, which directly impacts the quality of education.
Camagüey also faces the new school year with a shortage of over 2,000 teachers, which amounts to only a 75.5% coverage, to handle classes for approximately 98,000 enrolled students.
Cuba began the school year 2024-2025 with a deficit of 24,000 teachers, amidst a context of significant migratory exodus, rampant inflation, and low wages and pensions, as part of the multi-systemic crisis the island is currently facing.
More than 1.5 million Cuban students are getting ready to start a new school year on September 1st amid power outages, uniform shortages, and the deterioration of educational infrastructure.
Cited by the official portal Cubadebate, the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, acknowledged that the opening depends on “creative solutions” and community support.
It is striking that, for example, Santiago de Cuba claims a 99% coverage of teachers, yet there is no uniformity across the country and many classrooms were only able to prepare thanks to cooperatives, local businesses, and families.
The textile industry also failed to meet the demand. Of the more than 3.6 million uniforms planned, only 2.2 million were produced.
Last Wednesday, on the television program Mesa Redonda, Trujillo herself stated that Cuban students will have to share a single notebook between two subjects, as part of the so-called "adjusted norm," reflecting the precarious state of public education.
This amounts to saying that each primary school child will have three notebooks for six subjects, or that in secondary school they will have to split them in half to make them last. And if the family cannot afford the 200 CUP that a notebook costs on the black market, the student will have to manage as best as they can.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teacher Shortages in Cuba and the Start of the School Year
What is the teacher shortage in Matanzas for the 2025-2026 school year?
Matanzas starts the 2025-2026 school year with a deficit of 2,033 teachers. This shortage affects all levels of education in the province, a situation that the authorities are trying to alleviate through hourly contracts, university students, and unskilled personnel.
What measures are being taken to address the shortage of teachers in Cuba?
Hourly contracts are being used, along with university students and retired personnel. In addition, professionals from other fields are being brought in to temporarily fill vacancies, although these measures are seen as temporary solutions and do not address the underlying issue.
How does the uniform shortage affect the start of the school year in Cuba?
Only 2.2 million of the 3.6 million necessary uniforms were produced. This has led to prioritizing certain initial grades, while the rest of the students rely on hand-me-downs or the black market, where prices are prohibitive for many families.
What is the situation regarding school supplies, such as notebooks, for the 2025-2026 school year in Cuba?
Students will have to share a notebook between two subjects due to shortages. This measure, known as the "adjusted norm," reflects the precariousness of the education system, where families who cannot afford additional notebooks on the black market face serious difficulties.
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