Cuban Education Minister Naima Trujillo announced in a press conference in Havana on Thursday that the upcoming school year will begin with shortages of teachers and school uniforms, alongside curriculum and operational adjustments across all educational levels caused by the country's ongoing economic and energy crisis. Photo by Ernesto Mastrascusa/EPA
Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Cuba will begin the school year Tuesday for 1.4 million students despite a severe economic crisis and widespread disruptions to the power system.
The Education Ministry announced Thursday that it will allow greater flexibility in in-person attendance, school schedules and uniform requirements in an effort to keep classrooms open, the Cuban News Agency reported.
Amid rumors that the start of classes could be postponed because of the energy crisis and warnings from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, about risks to students' futures, authorities reaffirmed instruction will begin as scheduled.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel reinforced the announcement by posting a video on X showing him visiting several educational institutions.
