A young person from the municipality of Guáimaro, who attends classes at the University of Camagüey—about 80 kilometers away—spends a thousand pesos a week just on transportation, not accounting for food, study materials, or any additional expenses related to living away from home, a figure that may exceed their parents' monthly salary.
Today, a thousand pesos in Cuba "could be the same as four pounds of rice or a liter of oil", warns a comment published by the state-run newspaper Adelante which, without stating it outright, makes it clear that studying on the island has become, more than a guaranteed right, a daily act of resistance.
Although the student residences are open throughout the year, many prefer to return home each week because the "not-so-good" conditions regarding scholarships and food do not meet the minimum requirements. Eating often depends on what can be purchased at the university snack bars, which is an additional expense that not everyone can afford.
Therefore, the University is not only a place to acquire knowledge, "it also becomes an expense that many budgets cannot afford, and which is sometimes borne by the students themselves," the text states.
Adelante acknowledges that economic hardships compel numerous university students to work while studying, because “many young Cubans are the breadwinners of their households, or at the very least, must contribute to the family's main expenses and the costs associated with studying.”
Some switch to the program for workers, while others leave their studies, either temporarily or permanently. Many, without dropping the daytime course, work as waiters, mechanics, or sales assistants in private businesses, even within the university itself.
According to the publication, retention in classrooms also depends on the quality of prior education, as "the quality of entry into Higher Education from pre-university education is an aspect that is currently compromised."
“Those dreaded and respected entrance exams for previous generations have become just a way to sort students who wish to enter the University, as any pre-university student can access it, with priority given to those who pass the three exams,” he admitted.
There are even students "who do not even show up for the exams and are awarded degrees in fields such as engineering, veterinary medicine, and law," a clear indication of a loss of "rigor," and that "some of them later drop out of their studies because they cannot keep up with the content of the degree they were given."
According to the newspaper, while some young people enter without real preparation, others struggle to stay in university, "betting on studying in our country and envisioning their future here," even though "unfortunately, sometimes they are the ones who cannot continue," in a system where priorities seem misaligned.
For years now, Cuban parents have been reaching into their pockets to improve many aspects of their children's living and learning conditions in the classrooms.
The purchase of school supplies at exorbitant prices has become a headache for Cuban families, who are suffering from rampant inflation, shortages of essential products, including food and medicine, and a government that has gradually been deprioritizing “social spending” to focus on investments in sectors like tourism.
Having a scholarship student can sometimes be a true challenge, as in addition to clothing, footwear, and other accessories, they must also secure a storage locker for their belongings and, in some cases, even small refrigerators to keep their weekly food supplies.
Official data in 2023 indicated that around 800,000 young Cubans are not engaged in either education or work. The school dropout rate was so high that in Sancti Spíritus alone, nearly 20% of university students abandoned their studies.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Challenges Faced by University Students in Cuba
What are the main expenses faced by Cuban university students?
The main expenses include transportation, food, and study materials. A student from Guáimaro, for instance, spends one thousand pesos weekly just on transportation to attend the University of Camagüey, not counting other necessary expenses for living away from home.
Why do some university students in Cuba prefer to return home instead of staying in student residences?
Many students prefer to return to their homes because the conditions in the student residences and the meals are not adequate. This entails additional expenses that not everyone can afford, which is why they choose to go home on a weekly basis.
What impact does the economic situation have on Cuban university students?
The economic situation forces many students to work while studying. This is necessary to assist with family expenses and cover the costs associated with university, as many young people are the breadwinners for their households.
How does the quality of pre-university education affect university admissions in Cuba?
The quality of pre-university education, which is currently deteriorating, impacts university admission, as entrance exams have lost their rigor. This allows some students to enroll without adequate preparation, which can lead to dropping out of their studies.
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