Cuban universities to use remote learning amid severe energy crisis

Cuba's higher education system is adapting to a severe energy crisis by implementing blended and distance learning models for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, beginning September 1.

The Ministry of Higher Education (MES) announced that the academic year will operate under similar conditions to the previous semester, emphasizing decentralization and a territorial approach. This decision stems from the "intensification of the fuel supply shortage in the country, caused by the sustained aggressive policy of the United States government."

While in-person sessions will be maintained, primarily for full-time students, they will be concentrated at university headquarters, municipal university centers, and local production or service entities. For part-time programs, students will attend in person at least once a month for guidance and evaluation.

The island has been grappling with an acute energy crisis since mid-2024, exacerbated by a U.S. oil blockade and additional sanctions. This has led to prolonged power outages, with Havana experiencing blackouts of up to 20 hours daily, and provinces facing over two consecutive days without electricity.

Higher education has been significantly impacted, affecting electricity, internet, and transportation. In February, the University of Havana suspended in-person classes for 30 days, extending semi-face-to-face learning to all programs. This move was part of broader efforts to adjust the sector's activities amid the ongoing fuel scarcity.