A Cuban mother has reported that the primary school her son attends in Havana is surrounded by sewage water and has a massive garbage dump at the corner. The children of José Manuel Lazo de la Vega Quintana Primary School are attending classes in a highly unsanitary environment. They must use a dangerous sewer cover as a step to access the educational center, and the stench reaches the classrooms.
Clearly, this area is conducive to the proliferation of vectors such as rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes, which are disease carriers, a matter of great concern for the parents of these young students. The complaint was made through a video sent to CiberCuba, showing the deplorable conditions surrounding the school.
The school community, outraged, is demanding an immediate solution from the authorities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the students. This case highlights the severe sanitation issues and lack of infrastructure affecting numerous schools in Cuba.
Shortage of Furniture in Cuban Schools
In addition to sanitation problems, construction deficiencies, lack of educational materials, and poor nutrition, Cuban schools face a critical shortage of furniture, a situation exacerbated by the start of the new school year.
In Santiago de Cuba, despite the announcements from Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, who claimed that schools, tables, and books had been repaired in the preceding months, the reality encountered by parents and students this Monday was far from the official statements.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta reported a specific case illustrating this problem at the Francisco Maceo Osorio Basic Secondary School in the locality of Altamira. There, students are forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of desks and chairs. The situation is even more concerning because two classrooms of this secondary school have been loaned to the José Tey Saint-Blancard Primary School, leaving secondary students without a proper place to attend classes.
A visibly indignant mother stated that "there are no conditions to accommodate the students, and some teachers at the center are not willing to work like this." The concerns of parents and teachers are evident, and they demand an immediate solution from the authorities.
In an urgent appeal, this mother called on the Ministry of Education of Cuba to take measures to resolve the issue as soon as possible. "It is inconceivable how they have loaned two classrooms to another school while secondary school students are left, as the song says, 'on the floor like Pablito,'" she concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sanitary Issues in Cuban Schools
In light of the recent reports on unsanitary conditions and infrastructure problems in Cuban schools, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What are the main health concerns at José Manuel Lazo de la Vega Quintana Primary School?
The primary health concerns include exposure to sewage water, a nearby garbage dump, and the proliferation of disease-carrying vectors such as rats, cockroaches, and mosquitoes.
How are the students at Francisco Maceo Osorio Basic Secondary School affected by the furniture shortage?
Students are forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of desks and chairs, and the situation is worsened by the loaning of classrooms to another primary school, leaving them without adequate space for learning.
What actions are parents and teachers demanding from the authorities?
Parents and teachers are demanding immediate intervention from the Ministry of Education of Cuba to address the unsanitary conditions, infrastructure deficiencies, and furniture shortages in schools.