In the heart of Cuba, a nation cradled by its well-established educational embrace, every individual is gifted with the treasure of free education. From the tender age of six to the transformative fifteenth year, Cuban children are called to the halls of learning, painting a vivid canvas of educational exploration.
Quality of education in Cuba
Cuba’s educational opus shines brightly on the global stage, an exquisite masterpiece. With an adult literacy rate soaring to a remarkable 99.8%, as heralded by UNESCO, the nation’s symphony of enlightenment is nothing short of world-class. Fueling this luminary educational voyage is a finely tuned system of teacher preparation, where the guiding principle is student-centered teaching and learning, weaving an educational tapestry like no other.
Compulsory education in Cuba
In the heart of Cuba, the rhythm of education begins at age six and dances through fifteen. Six years of primary schooling herald the first verses of the educational sonnet, followed by three years of secondary chapters. As the compulsory verses conclude, students stand at the crossroads of further exploration. They can journey to higher education institutions or traverse the enchanting realms of technical and vocational schools, their educational symphony far from its final note.
Types of schools in Cuba
There are three major categories of schools in this nation:
Primary schools
Children in these institutions receive instruction between the ages of six and eleven. The development of fundamental abilities including reading, writing, and maths is the main goal.
Secondary schools
Within these hallowed halls, young minds, aged twelve to fifteen, embark on a journey of intellectual awakening. The mission: to sculpt higher-order skills such as the art of communication, the magic of problem-solving, and the alchemy of critical thinking.
Technical and vocational schools
After completing their required schooling, students can continue their studies at technical and vocational schools. The emphasis is on mastering specialized skills like computer science, welding, and plumbing.
Syllabus in Cuba
In Cuba’s educational tapestry, the warp and weft of a standardized national curriculum masterfully weave creativity’s tapestry, the fine threads of critical thinking, and the intricate patterns of problem-solving. Language arts, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, physical education, and the arts emerge as vivid pigments in this grand mural of learning. In the quest for linguistic horizons, the Cuban educational symphony attunes itself to the resonance of foreign languages. Here, the youngest voyagers begin their odyssey into the world of English, a second tongue, at a tender age.
School hours and holidays
In the rhythmic cadence of Cuban education, the school day unfolds its velvety curtains from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a noontime interlude for sustenance and rejuvenation. Students embark on their academic journey Monday through Friday, a five-act performance each week. The Cuban academic year lasts from September to June, with a two-month summer break in between. Together with a few other national holidays throughout the year, students also get a week off for Christmas and Easter.
Enrolment process in Cuba
It is not too difficult to enroll in school in Cuba. Parents or legal guardians must furnish proof of address, an immunization record, and a birth certificate. With universal access to free education, enrollment is marked by limited competition.
International schools
Cuba has many foreign schools, mostly in Havana. The Foreign Baccalaureate (IB) and Cambridge International are just two of the many foreign curricula that these schools provide. Listed below are a few of Cuba’s foreign schools:
International school of Havana
The International School of Havana is attended by students from more than 40 nations and offers the IB curriculum.
Lycee francais de la Havane
Students in kindergarten through high school are enrolled in the Lycee Francais de la Havane, a French school that follows the French national curriculum.
The British school of Havana
The British School of Havana serves students in kindergarten through high school and follows the Cambridge International curriculum.
You may also like these articles: