Cuba Begins 1.4 Million-Student School Year Amid Severe Crisis

Cuba is set to begin the 2026-2027 school year with about 1.4 million students, as the government presses ahead despite an ongoing economic crisis, frequent blackouts, and shortages of teachers and supplies. Education officials acknowledge the country will struggle to fill roughly 73% of teaching positions, with the western provinces and Havana hardest hit, necessitating plans to enlist college students and professionals from other fields to teach. Production of school uniforms remains severely limited, around 12% of needs for primary students, underscoring shortages affecting daily school life. In response, the government has granted schools greater flexibility on attendance, schedules, and uniform requirements in an effort to keep classes going. Ongoing power outages and fuel shortages continue to disrupt the schooling environment, compounding the logistical and staffing challenges faced by families and educators. In at least one report, authorities frame the crisis within broader political tensions, noting external pressures while insisting the upcoming year will be a notable achievement if it can be carried out at all.