The educational system in Guantánamo will make adjustments to the school schedule due to the energy crisis the country is facing, as dissatisfaction grows among families who report unsustainable conditions for children to attend classes.
Schools and children's circles will extend their opening time to 9:00 a.m., while pick-up at the circles will start from 2:30 p.m., announced Antonio Tamayo Romero, the Deputy General Director of Education in the territory, during the program “Revista Guantánamo” of the television center Solvisión.
Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., complementary activities will be held to welcome the students, the director explained, emphasizing that “there is no suspension of teaching activities; we are facing a complex situation, but that does not mean that activities or the social development of our province will be suspended… and among these is the development of the educational teaching process.”
In the case of basic secondary schools where no school snacks are available, only one class session will be held. Additionally, students will be allowed to attend in "appropriate clothing" instead of uniforms, due to difficulties with washing and ironing.
Although it was emphasized that educational institutions will maintain their regular hours to accommodate the work needs of families, citizens' reactions have not taken long to appear.
" If my child doesn't sleep, if there is no food because there's nothing to cook with, if he doesn't have clean clothes, I'm sorry to say he won't be going to school," warned a mother in one of the many comments generated by the publication of the video on the Facebook profile of the Guantanamo journalist Miguel Reyes Mendoza.
The sentiment is shared by dozens of parents who are not only facing a lack of electricity but also shortages of water, food, and rest.
Lismay Torres Savigñón stated that the most sensible thing would be to "accelerate the completion of the school year," given that children are spending sleepless nights without fans due to power outages. "What child of God would want to go to school, and what parent would have the heart to send them when the children are irritable and exhausted?" she questioned.
The tone of the messages is increasingly desperate. "We don't want flexibility, we want lives, we look like zombies, with no lives, destroyed, lacking spirit, joyless, with no desire to smile. This is a horror of a life," wrote Katerine Díaz Lobaina.
Yurislaine Erbella, for her part, was more emphatic: “What they should do is suspend the educational process. Besides, what tests can children take when they don’t have electricity to study… and many, aside from not sleeping, also don’t have breakfast or lunch to sustain themselves. They should close the schools and not be abusers.”
In recent days, the education authorities in Artemisa have also implemented changes to class schedules and relaxed rules to sustain the teaching process in light of the impacts of the energy crisis. The measures illustrate the forced adaptation of the educational system to a prolonged crisis scenario.
The widespread blackouts and lack of drinking water in several provinces have generated outrage among parents, who question the government’s demand to send their children to school without the minimum conditions for their well-being. In many places, there isn’t even bread for snacks, due to the shortage of flour, the lack of water, and electricity.
The disconnection of key units has caused the collapse of the National Electro-Energetic System (SEN) on several occasions, which has led the government to suspend classes in schools and close non-essential state institutions to reduce energy consumption.
However, these actions have not succeeded in alleviating the impact on the daily lives of Cubans, who are facing challenges in carrying out basic activities such as cooking, preserving food, and accessing essential services, leading to emotional strain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and its Impact on Education in Cuba
Why have school schedules been adjusted in Guantánamo?
School schedules in Guantánamo have been adjusted due to the energy crisis that Cuba is experiencing, affecting the availability of electricity for daily activities. Schools and childcare centers will now begin activities at 9:00 a.m. to adapt to these limitations.
How does the energy crisis affect the education system in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba has forced adjustments to school schedules, reduced class sessions, and relaxed uniform requirements. Frequent power outages hinder the execution of academic activities, impacting both students and teachers.
Why are parents in Guantánamo demanding the suspension of classes?
Parents in Guantánamo demand the suspension of classes due to unsustainable conditions for children to attend school, such as the lack of electricity, water, food, and proper rest, which jeopardizes the well-being and academic performance of the students.
What measures have been taken in other Cuban provinces in response to the energy crisis?
In provinces like Artemisa and Camagüey, flexible schedules and reduced sessions have been implemented in schools. Additionally, attendance without a uniform has been permitted due to difficulties in maintaining clothing hygiene. These measures aim to keep the educational process active amid prolonged power outages.
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