Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Camagüey, Feb 19.- In the midst of the difficult energy situation Cuba is going through, aggravated by the tightening of the economic blockade imposed by the United States, the education sector in the province of Camagüey has had to adapt and seek new solutions. The authorities have implemented measures such as the decentralization of students and the flexibilization of school hours.
To understand the impact of these actions and the challenges they still face, Radio Cadena Agramonte interviewed Dr.C. Idalberto Reyes Porro, Provincial Deputy Director of Education in the province, who offers a detailed view of how the right to education has been guaranteed during this week under these exceptional circumstances.
In the face of the blackouts caused by the energy crisis accentuated by the U.S. siege, the decision has been made to decentralize students and adjust school hours. What is your assessment of these measures so far?
-"The experience has been positive in terms of adaptation. Decentralization has allowed many students to remain in their municipalities, reducing travel and associated energy consumption. The flexible hours have helped us make better use of natural daylight hours and organize teaching activities at times when the electricity service is more stable. Although these decisions have required an additional effort in organization, we consider them to have been successful in maintaining the continuity of the educational process."
In this context, the installation of solar panels in teachers' homes has been proposed. How will this impact their preparation and stability for teaching?
-"This is a highly impactful measure. The installation of solar panels in teachers' homes will not only improve their quality of life but will also facilitate their work. Many teachers dedicate hours outside of school hours to planning, grading, and updating themselves. Having an alternative energy source will guarantee greater stability to carry out these tasks, which will translate into an improvement in the quality of the teaching-learning process."
Many students remain in their municipalities. How is the preparation of twelfth-grade students, who will take university entrance exams in June, being guaranteed?
-"This is our main objective at this time. We have reinforced individualized monitoring of these students through tutoring and in-person consultations in each municipality. Teams of experienced teachers have been formed who, on a rotating basis and in coordination with the municipal headquarters, address their learning needs. Additionally, we are distributing study materials and exercise guides so that, despite the limitations, no twelfth-grade student is at a disadvantage when taking the higher education entrance exams."
Faced with this situation, each school intensifies its preventive work with families. How does the educational institution reach out to homes to prevent dropout or academic lag?
-"The link with families has become a fundamental pillar. Teachers maintain constant communication, either through home visits, phone calls, or the use of messaging groups, when conditions permit. The objective is to identify any situation that could cause absences or demotivation in a timely manner, and to act together with families to find solutions. In addition, periodic meetings are held at schools to guide parents on how to support studying at home, especially in this context of restrictions. The premise is clear: the school does not stop and reaches out to wherever the student is."
The education sector in Camagüey is making extraordinary efforts to ensure that no student is left behind, especially in a context of the intensification of the U.S. blockade, which has adopted an energy siege measure. From the reorganization of physical spaces to the incorporation of renewable energy sources, each of the measures explained by Dr. Reyes Porro reflects the commitment to maintaining the quality of learning. (Maykel Torres La Rosa and ArleénCalvoLacal/Radio Cadena Agramonte) (Photo: Taken from the Internet)
