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Amid an energy crisis that has left Cuba facing power outages of up to 20 hours a day, the delivery of solar panels to 180 workers in the education sector in Camagüey, touted by the government as a "humanistic" achievement and a step towards "sustainability," has sparked a wave of criticism.
While official publications celebrate the installation of 800 and 1200 watt systems in educators' homes, the public questions both the actual impact of the measure and the government's priorities in the face of an electrical collapse that affects millions.
The official version: "a brighter future"
The government reported that "clean energy becomes a support for education and family life" with the delivery of solar panels to 180 workers in the sector across the 13 municipalities and three provincial centers.
According to the note, the equipment is delivered "at affordable prices, with payment facilities through bank credit and immediate response from the financial system." It was also noted that 143 systems have already been installed and 37 are pending.
The official Lázaro Rubén Herrera Batista, head of the Specialized Educational Activity Department of the Provincial Education Directorate, is among the beneficiaries and expresses his gratitude to "the Revolution" for the initiative, which, according to the post, "transforms the daily lives of educators and families."
However, beyond the official narrative, the country's energy reality is different: prolonged blackouts, inadequate generation, and a deteriorated electrical grid after years of underinvestment and lack of maintenance.
The crisis is not a temporary issue, but rather the result of inefficient management that has pushed the electrical system to its limits, impacting daily life, the economy, and the health of the population.
180 panels in an entire province
One of the main concerns raised in the comments is the actual scale of the benefit. In a province with thousands of teachers, 180 systems represent a minimal fraction of the educational staff.
"Can the hundreds of teachers and healthcare workers from our province who were absent say, when will they give them theirs? Or as always happens, those 180 are just for show while thousands are left helpless," wrote a resident of Camagüey.
Another teacher commented, "Well, I don't know which teachers you're talking about because I work in a school and I'm always in the dark."
It is also noted that the equipment is not free of charge.
In a context of high inflation and wages that do not suffice to cover basic needs, taking on additional debt to have electricity at home feels more like a burden than a solution for many.
Distrust and accusations of favoritism
The news that a provincial chief is among those benefiting has raised suspicions about the transparency of the process.
"Of course a boss is going to benefit, nothing new in this country," wrote an internet user.
Another one added, "I understand that it goes to leaders and some chosen ones, as always."
One comment was even more direct: "And where did the panels end up, at the Provincial Education sector? Go to the homes of the Education Directors and you will see that none of them are left with nothing, and the teachers, who have been sacrificing for years, will continue from blackout to blackout."
The criteria for geographical selection is also being questioned.
A user pointed out: "In San Antonio del Sur, they prioritized teachers and workers who live in the town center, the beach, and other distant neighborhoods, according to those responsible for installing the panels, due to a lack of transportation, even with so many cars in the municipality. Priority for those who work the least; those who are exploited relentlessly have to wait for the second or third round, if they even come."
The perception of favoritism and lack of transparency reflects a growing distrust in resource management, especially when these resources are scarce.
And the rest of the population?
Beyond the teaching profession, many comments widen the focus to other sectors similarly affected by the power outages.
"They should also do this with healthcare professionals, as they work so many shifts and return home to continue an endless battle," wrote a user.
But the most recurring complaint is about the children. "Where do they leave the children? After spending a night without electricity, unable to sleep due to the heat and the mosquitoes, they have to wake up tired and with no desire to go to school," commented a woman.
In a country where electricity fails for most of the day in some areas, students arrive in the classrooms exhausted after nights of stifling heat and mosquitoes.
Doctors work shifts in hospitals that also face energy limitations. And millions of households continue to rely on an unstable electrical grid.
In light of this situation, the provision of a limited number of solar panels to a specific sector, under payment conditions, is seen by many as an inadequate measure presented as an achievement.
The energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing is not the result of an isolated event, but rather the outcome of years of erratic decisions, lack of maintenance, and inability to ensure a stable supply. Meanwhile, the population faces blackout after blackout, heat, spoiled food, and paralyzed services.
In this context, the question that arises on social media captures the feelings of many: what happens to the children who cannot sleep due to the blackouts and still have to get up to go to school?
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