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UNESCO sees education of 'a generation' at risk in Cuba due to energy crisis
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

UNESCO sees education of 'a generation' at risk in Cuba due to energy crisis

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • UNESCO warns that Cuba's energy crisis is jeopardizing an entire generation's education.
  • Severe power outages disrupt classes, learning, and social life for students and teachers.
  • The early closure of the school year is attributed to fuel shortages and logistical issues exacerbated by U.S. sanctions.

The education of an entire generation in Cuba is at risk due to the ongoing energy crisis, according to Anne Lemaistre, director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Havana.

Education in Cuba is at risk due to the current energy crisis. This makes it difficult for teachers and students to attend classes, learn effectively, and enjoy a normal social life with their friends.

— Anne Lemaistre, UNESCO Regional Office DirectorWarning about the impact of the energy crisis on education.

Lemaistre stated that the severe power outages make it difficult for both teachers and students to attend classes, learn effectively, and maintain a normal social life. She warned that this situation "endangers the future of an entire generation, with long-term consequences" that must be protected.

This situation endangers the future of an entire generation, with long-term consequences, and that future must be protected for the good of all.

— Anne Lemaistre, UNESCO Regional Office DirectorEmphasizing the severe implications of the educational disruption.

Cuba has been experiencing a profound energy crisis since 2024, worsened by an oil blockade imposed by the United States in January. Large areas of the country face blackouts lasting up to two consecutive days, with Havana exceeding 24 hours without power. The economic paralysis has led the Cuban government to implement contingency plans across all sectors, including shifting some educational levels to a hybrid, semi-in-person model.

total lack of fuel and logistical limitations caused by the U.S. oil blockade

— Naima Trujillo, Cuban Minister of EducationExplaining the reasons for advancing the school year closure.

In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Education announced the early closure of the school year between June 15 and 30. Minister Naima Trujillo cited a "total lack of fuel and logistical limitations caused by the U.S. oil blockade" as the reasons for this decision. Special education centers concluded their academic activities earlier in May. Higher education authorities also indicated that the current academic year for most university programs will conclude in early July, and entrance exams for higher education will be canceled. Instead, students' cumulative academic performance will determine university admissions.

the cumulative academic index of the students

— Ministry of Higher Education authoritiesStating the criteria for university admissions in the absence of entrance exams.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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