A Cuban mother has brought to light the dire conditions plaguing Braulio Coroneaux Primary School in the Cerro municipality of Havana. The situation has forced the closure of the institution and the relocation of students to another school in equally deplorable conditions. The government has not even ensured the transfer of school furniture, leaving parents to bear the costs.
"Can someone tell me where we can turn? Braulio Coroneaux Primary School, where my child studies, was closed due to its deplorable structural state. The municipal government's directive is to transfer all students to Reiniel Páez Primary School," the concerned mother stated.
The school transfer involves a half-kilometer move and the transportation of all furniture. The building that will host the Braulio Coroneaux students has multiple floors, but the designated areas are in terrible condition.
Living Conditions at the New School
The mother detailed the following issues:
- No electricity.
- Clogged bathrooms.
- Serious water supply problems.
- Broken doors and windows, lacking security.
- General filth (though parents are willing to address this).
The third floor will be shared with children from Reiniel Páez Primary School. "Additionally, we were told to move to the other school on our own by Monday. The parents had already rented a moving truck, and when we arrived at Reiniel Páez, we saw the deplorable conditions there," she added.
This complaint highlights the frustration of parents who see their children's basic needs neglected while the government continues to allocate resources to other sectors.
Previous Incidents and Government Neglect
Another Cuban mother responded to the post, sharing her experience with the poor state of Braulio Coroneaux Primary School and how children have been victims of accidents at the institution. "My children have been studying at this school since the first grade and are now in the sixth grade. The school's structural conditions have always been terrible, and no substantial repairs have been made. A few months ago, a piece of bathroom ceiling fell on one of my children's shoulders. Fortunately, it only resulted in scratches and pain for several days, but it could have hit his head, like it did with a classmate who was dazed for a while after the impact," she recounted.
The Ministry of Education in Cuba has made it a habit to leave school maintenance tasks, such as painting classrooms, fixing windows, bringing in furniture, and purchasing fans, to the parents.
The educational community demands immediate responses and solutions to ensure a safe and adequate learning environment for Cuban children. However, the State continues to evade responsibility, citing old excuses like the economic embargo and shortages. The National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) released official data for 2023, showing that the Cuban government continues to prioritize tourism despite the severe crisis in the public health system and the deficiencies in the education sector.
FAQs about the Conditions in Cuban Primary Schools
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the current state of primary schools in Cuba, particularly focusing on the issues highlighted in the article.
What are the main issues at Braulio Coroneaux Primary School?
The main issues include lack of electricity, clogged bathrooms, serious water supply problems, broken doors and windows, and general filth.
How has the government responded to the situation?
The government has not adequately addressed the situation, leaving parents to manage and finance the relocation and maintenance efforts themselves.
What alternatives have been provided to the affected students?
Students have been relocated to Reiniel Páez Primary School, which also suffers from poor conditions, including shared floors and lack of essential facilities.