Cuba Facing Teacher Shortage

CUBA – Cuba began the new academic year this week with a shortage of teachers across all levels of education. 

The education ministry said there was a 4.8 percent shortfall across the country’s 10,300 schools and 23 universities.

Six thousand teaching graduates were due to enter the system this year, along with 3,000 teachers who were brought out of retirement to help fill the gap. But, officials say it is still not enough. 

Meanwhile, the number of pupils and students has also declined, a fall the ministry attributed to a high drop-out rate from schools.