| DVTimes |
06-05-2005 04:59 AM |
EDUCATION IN TODAY'S CUBA
With the triumph of the revolution there came radical social changes. Profound and meaningful social changes came about as certain social aspects of Cuban society which were greatly neglected in the past were now prioritized.
One of the priorities, among many was education. As the revolution inherited a society in which over 60 percent were semi illiterate, that is could hardly read and write, what some people define as functional illiterates, and as the disparity between rural and urban Cuba was significant with urban illiteracy being only 11.6, while rural illiteracy being an incredible 41.7, with less than .5 percent graduating from high school or vocational school, the new revolutionary government took immediate measures to remedy this sad situation.
To combat illiteracy it implemented the following steps:
It formed educational brigades composed mostly of high school and university students. These were students, known as brigadistas, who volunteered to help campesinos ( peasants ) in rural and in sometimes the remotest places in Cuba to learn how to read and write. Brigadistas like Conrado Benitez and Manuel Ascunde Domenech were among those that literally gave up their lives to aid the campesinos learn basic skills, as some of them were brutally murdered by armed right wing CIA sponsored groups.
The new govt. formed groups within the workplace, i.e., factories and shops to help the workers learn to read and write. It afforded the workers a little time off at the workplace in this endeavor. In addition, night schools were initiated and workers encouraged to attend.
The new govt. set goals in educational levels, with the first goal being 6th grade followed by in later years to 9th grade and ultimately 12th grade - what it is today.
In the first year '59 - '60 the illiteracy rate was reduced from 23.6 to 3.8 percent. In the second year '61 it was reduced to 1.9. At that time during a speech given by Fidel Castro revering this great feat, a flag was raised with the following words: "Cuba, free of illiteracy".
Thanks to these policies many Cubans were afforded an opportunity to study as is the case with my mother in-law for example who only had a third grade level before the revolution and was able to increase it to the 6th grade level -she opted not to continue with her studies because of childrearing . Another example is my father in-law who was able to finish high school and become an electronic technician, all free of charge.
Besides the building of new schools, other actions taken by the new govt. included the transforming of old police stations and army barracks into schools. All in all, about 25,000 new schools were created. In rural areas where schools did not exist, new schools were built; even the remotest parts of Cuba now had schools. For the first time in Cuban history the campesinos and their children had what they never had before: schools and an opportunity to receive a free education.
All the schools on the island were made free and accessible to all.
Schools for the handicapped and students with learning disabilities were established.
Unlike before where there were 3 or 4 universities, most of them in Havana, new universities and technical schools were opened free of charge.
Unlike the past where day care centers were for the well to do, new day care centers were opened and made affordable with the family paying very modest fees ( based on one's salary ).
As indicated by UN reports Cuba has a highly developed system of day care centers. One indication of how well it functions is amply demonstrated by the Cuban children. I have found young children of Cuba very alert and highly verbal. For example, my niece at the tender age of 7 was highly verbal and could already recite some poetry. She is not the exception as I have encountered many children with these attributes. It is a real experience hearing the young children of Cuba speak. As I mentioned before the main reason children display these wonderful qualities is due in great part to the magnificent system of day care center the socialist govt. has in place and the learning and social experiences the children acquire in these centers.
By the way not only is education free but the state also supplies free of charge school materials i.e. pencils and notebooks. Usually there is no trouble in the distribution of school materials. Sometimes there may be a shortage in notebooks, but usually, I don't know how, a notebook appears. School uniforms are another story. Although they are modestly priced it is hard to come by one. Before the special period - before Cuba lost it's trade with the Socialist bloc - the Cuban govt. had no problems distributing them to the people.
Despite the embargo, the statistics show how well the educational system is functioning. There are currently 400 thousand students enrolled in schools. 99 percent of the students currently attend school, with a 99.9 percent retention rate. The student/teacher ratio is 13.6 to 1, that is one teacher for every 13.6 students. As there were only a handful of universities before the revolution all catering to the well to do, now there are approximately 45 universities and institutes with an enrollment of close to 250 thousands, and with a total of 24800 professors.
The literacy rate is currently 98% with an average 12 grade level.
Where as black Cubans were for the most part excluded from the educational process in yesterday's Cuba, they now have the opportunity to attend institutions of higher learning. You can see how blacks have benefited with the island's Socialist educational system, as Cuba has it's fair share of black professionals, among them doctors and engineers.
Although the quality of Cuban schools is top notch, some of them can use a face lift, that is they are in need of some repair and paint. And although, economic conditions has made this a very difficult task, there are signs of improvement, as for example, this year the govt. has made repairs on over 1000 schools, 386 labs and has equipped secondary schools, high schools and colleges with new TVs and computers.
As a teacher who has traveled extensively to Cuba, taking in 95 a sabbatical, visiting schools in Dominican Republic and on the island, I can vouch for the island's marvelous educational system. It is top rate. As I wrote in my report to my school district, "...I had heard that Cuba's school system was good; it is not, it is fantastic...". By the way it was ironic that none of the Dominican high schools I visited had computers while Cuba with an embargo and all there were two schools with computers.
Lastly UN and UNICEF studies confirms that Cuba's educational system is one of the best in the world; and definitely in the third world where no one comes close.
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