Schools in the province of Villa Clara will start adjusting their class schedules beginning Monday, May 20, due to the severe energy crisis affecting Cuba. According to information released by the Provincial Government in that area, educational institutions at all levels, "with the exception of Youth and Adult Education," will commence the first class period at 10:00 AM.
This means that the schedule for students will be set from "10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:20 PM," according to a note signed by the General Directorate of Education in Villa Clara. Additionally, it was assured that "the start of activities in all educational centers will proceed as established: from 6:30 AM in Daycare Centers and 7:00 AM in Schools."
However, the new aspect is that "in the early hours of the morning, recreational and complementary activities will be conducted until the start of the first class period and will extend until the usual schedule," as indicated by the Villa Clara authorities.
The inhumane blackouts that Cubans endure, with power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day in some areas, have become an unsustainable situation for many. Citizens have taken to social media to criticize the regime, asking, "How long will this psychological torture on the people last?"
Many families, including children, have been forced to sleep on the streets in a futile attempt to get some rest during the night, given the high temperatures that also plague the island.
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel had to admit on May 11, in an interview with Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet, that the island is "in an extremely complex situation regarding energy." He enumerated that under his administration, there have been failures in "electric generation due to lack of fuel, lack of maintenance, or a combination of both factors."
During a visit to the Amancio Rodríguez municipality in Las Tunas province, Díaz-Canel himself stated, in a supposed show of empathy, that the recent blackouts "have been terrible, lasting up to 20 hours."
The public discontent has been voiced on social media, and in some cases, people have taken to the streets to protest.
Impact of Energy Crisis on Education in Villa Clara
The ongoing energy crisis in Cuba has forced significant changes in the educational system of Villa Clara. Below are some common questions and answers regarding the situation:
Why are class schedules being adjusted in Villa Clara?
Class schedules are being adjusted due to the severe energy crisis affecting Cuba. The changes aim to manage the limited electricity supply more effectively.
What are the new class hours for students?
The new class hours for students are from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:20 PM.
How are students and families coping with the blackouts?
Many families, including children, have been forced to sleep on the streets in an attempt to find some relief from the high temperatures during the night, as blackouts can last up to 20 hours a day.
What has Miguel Díaz-Canel said about the energy crisis?
Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged the severe energy crisis in an interview, stating that the island is in an "extremely complex situation" due to failures in electric generation caused by a lack of fuel and maintenance.