University entrance exams reveal Cuba’s education crisis

Entrance exams for 21,942 applicants for university jobs in academic year 2024 For higher education in Cuba, Only half (50.4%) were able to passThe island’s Ministry of Higher Education (MES) disclosed.

According to René Sánchez Díaz, Director of Income and Labor Employment of the MES, The number of applicants this time is less than previous years, while the number of rejections is 8.9% higher. than the previous lesson.

Of the 11,063 passers, 52.7% achieved in mathematics; in Spanish, 92.1%, and in history, 76.4%. These figures are in all cases down on those approved compared to previous years Official Diary GranmaIt reviewed Sanchez Díaz’s statements.

The official attributed the poor result to the impact of Covid-19 Class IX to XII of the cohort now entering university. According to Sánchez Díaz, suspension of teaching activities and imprisonment limited “their abilities to face this process”.

But the official had to add that the biggest conflict has caused a crisis in the education system in Cuba: “Effects of teaching staff in pre-university education, as well as training and attention to theseThis has had a negative impact on the quality of academic performance,” he said.

Cuba’s Ministry of Education has recognized a shortage of more than 17,000 teachers on the island, which overshadowed the start of the school year last September.

Despite this, the MES officer gave assurance To date, 25,205 study places have been distributed, of which 23,062 are university courses and 2,143 are higher technical courses. The most preferred areas are natural and exact sciences, social and humanities, and economics. But, he admitted, There is less interest in academic careers, training as health technicians and agricultural careers.

Last February, Sánchez Díaz announced that both students who failed the entrance exam and those who failed the aforementioned exams could opt for a university degree if they passed the 12th grade.

Days ago, the official site CubePad recognized that Teacher shortages are national, although the situation is worse in the west and center. This is due to the working conditions of teachers, overload of content, unpaid overtime and ridiculous salaries that do not allow them to meet their needs.

Chemistry teacher Recla Gonzalez said the faculty’s difficulties date back a few years and are only getting worse. “Although we had problems with teacher shortages, every year young workers graduated from pedagogical schools, they at least did teaching, and one was relieved. Now the most difficult thing is that fewer teachers are graduating.” he said. .

“Young people today want to work in places where they can earn more money, and in education they receive a stable salary that is not enough. In addition, they have to deal with families and their problems; And a lot of people get depressed,” said elementary school teacher Damaris Reyes.