The Ministry of Education adjusts entry to educational centers in Cuba following the decision to maintain daylight saving time

The Ministry of Education of Cuba (Mined) will delay the start time at all educational institutions by 30 minutes from November 1, following the government's decision to maintain daylight saving time during the period designated for standard time.

The adjustment corresponds to the continuation of daylight saving time, which keeps clocks set ahead during the months when it dawns later according to official time. This measure is part of the decisions announced the day before by the Ministries of Energy and Mines (Minem) and Labor and Social Security (MTSS), which cancelled the time change scheduled for next Saturday.

In a statement published on Facebook, the Ministry of Education indicated that educational institutions at all levels must inform students, families, and staff about the details of the change, as well as organize the teaching process to ensure compliance with the school calendar.

The decision is part of the severe electricity crisis the country is experiencing. According to the joint statement from Minem and MTSS, maintaining daylight saving time will prevent an increase in blackouts of 126 MW during the peak demand afternoon hours. Of that figure, 76 MW would result from reduced use of artificial lighting, and 50 MW from better utilization of solar photovoltaic generation.

The first month of the 2026-2027 school year was marked by blackouts, transportation issues, and schools without electricity. In Matanzas, an elementary school managed to go more than 23 days without electrical service due to a transformer malfunction.

The decision has a precedent in the recent history of the country. Between March 2004 and October 2006, Cuba maintained daylight saving time continuously for over two years in response to another electricity generation crisis. During that period, blackouts lasted between six and ten hours daily, depending on the region.

The measure also sparked reactions of resignation and irony on social media. "It doesn't matter what time it is if we have no electricity either at dawn or at dusk," wrote a user.

Another questioned the depth of the crisis with a question that summed up his frustration: "Can you explain to me when we will hit rock bottom? We've already passed the Earth's core and I see no end."