The new school year began in Cuba on September 1, but Félix Berto, a six-year-old boy diagnosed with moderate autism and intellectual disability, was excluded from school after the Ministry of Education decided to deny him enrollment in a specialized center, as reported by his mother, the dental surgeon Yislainet Lara.
In a message posted on social media, the woman requested help in raising awareness about her son's situation, stating that "the Ministry of Education of Cuba decided to ignore, thus taking away his legitimate and universal right to attend an institution", she wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of the minor in his school uniform.
The desperate mother added that her wish is “for the whole world to know about this injustice and this violation of the rights of children and individuals with disabilities.”
Lara claims that, despite having a medical certificate confirming the diagnosis, which she also shared on social media, the educational authorities sent her back home on the grounds that it would be the community, rather than a school, responsible for attending to her needs.
“It’s like taking away from these children, very early on, their chance to awaken at some point, at least during primary school, so they can improve”, he said in a video shared on his Facebook profile.
Visibly outraged, she recalled that even in more severe cases, such as cerebral palsy, families around the world have the right for their children to receive an education.
“Then how much more could my son have the same right. I will continue to fight because he needs it; since he was one year and three months old, he has been receiving stimulation in institutions outside of my home, and I know that the best thing for him is school,” she emphasized.
Yislainet Lara's complaint stands in stark contrast to the official propaganda that celebrated the start of the school year in Cuba as a "celebration of education." For this mother, however, the date was marked by exclusion and the uncertainty of not knowing when her child will be able to return to the classroom.
Precisely, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel celebrated the start of the school year in X, describing it as “one of the most beautiful and vital conquests of the Revolution.” For his part, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that “joy once again fills the Cuban schools”, emphasizing that more than one million 530 thousand students joined classes across the country.
However, while the Cuban state speaks of celebrations and proclaims principles of inclusion in its Constitution and in the Human Rights Convention that it claims to respect, the reality of Félix Berto shows the opposite, as he is a child with a disability who is denied the right to learn, interact, and develop alongside his peers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the School Exclusion of Children with Disabilities in Cuba
Why does the Ministry of Education of Cuba deny enrollment to children with autism?
The Ministry of Education of Cuba has decided to deny enrollment to children with autism like Félix Berto, arguing that the community, rather than a school institution, should be responsible for supporting them. This decision ignores the legitimate and universal right of these children to receive education in an appropriate school environment, which has generated criticism and complaints from affected parents.
What rights are being violated by denying education to children with disabilities in Cuba?
By denying education to children with disabilities, fundamental rights such as the right to education, enshrined in the Human Rights Convention and in the Cuban Constitution, are being violated. These children have the right to learn, interact, and develop on equal terms with their peers, a principle that the Cuban state proclaims but does not always uphold.
How does the educational reality of children with disabilities in Cuba contrast with the official propaganda?
While the official propaganda of the Cuban government celebrates the beginning of the school year as a "celebration of education," the reality for many children with disabilities is one of exclusion and lack of access to education. Cases like that of Félix Berto highlight a contradiction between the official discourse of inclusion and the facts, which reveal a lack of political will to ensure the rights of these children.
What impact does school exclusion have on children with disabilities in Cuba?
School exclusion has a significant negative impact on children with disabilities, hindering their academic, social, and emotional development. Without access to formal education, these children miss the opportunity to enhance their skills and to fully integrate into society, perpetuating a cycle of marginalization and discrimination.
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