"As long as there are classrooms with students and schools with teachers in Cuba, there is a nation, there is a homeland, there is a Revolution, and there is socialism.” This was affirmed Tuesday morning by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, after the conclusion of the National Ceremony for the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
From the emblematic Paseo del Prado in Old Havana, from that very spot that bears the marks of the school where teacher Mendive educated the young Martí, President Díaz-Canel remarked to the press team of the Presidency of the Republic of Cuba—not without first acknowledging the emotion inspired by these hours as the country opens its classrooms—: “Starting this school year was, for everyone, an enormous commitment.”
He shared this sentiment because, in his view, it was about “starting the school year on the centenary of the birth of the Commander-in-Chief, amidst the situation we are experiencing.”
Surrounded by children, teenagers, and young adults who had participated in an event marked by beauty and emotion, the dignitary shared three key reflections with reporters. First, he alluded to "the victory that is present today in Cuban classrooms with the start of this school year."
A second element, he noted, is related to "the fruit of a collective effort." And a third element, he said, "is the challenge we face in teaching and learning" while immersed in transformations.
THE TRIUMPH IN THE CLASSROOMS
"The triumph is in the classrooms," said the Head of State, "because, as the Minister (of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto) explained, this has not been the sound of a routine bell or an everyday bell."
"It means having started the school year in the middle of a complex situation that we cannot deny, neither to our teachers, nor to our students, nor to our children, nor to our adolescents."
Díaz-Canel Bermúdez stressed that the beginning of the current school year "is also to show the capacity of a country, a nation, a Revolution, where the passion for knowledge and love for the Homeland are imposed on all restrictions, imposed on that genocidal policy of blockade" that seeks - he denounced - to drag a country into barbarism.
Starting this course, the Cuban President highlighted, "is a response to the colonizing barbarism that they try to impose on us. It is the will of a people, of a Revolution. It is political will. It is pedagogical will. "It is the will of the nation that knowledge, the passion for learning, goes above any adversity."
"And I believe that when this is achieved, and when this triumph is achieved in the classrooms, in the conditions in which it was done, that also demonstrates the height, the stature of a people and a nation."
THE FRUIT OF A COLLECTIVE EFFORT
The president spoke about the fruit of this collective effort: "We have seen," he emphasized, "intense weeks of work, where all the educational leadership structures, the training institutions—from the grassroots level, from the schools to the national level—have been participating alongside families, the community, all institutions, all the agencies of the Central State Administration, and provincial and municipal institutions, trying to improve schools, trying to create conditions amidst these adversities."
In the president's opinion, this "also embodies a sense" of how "we all contribute to education, and how we all defend education." At that point in his remarks, he told reporters how, a few months ago, he had asked the Ministers of Education and Higher Education, and "the rest of the ministers of the teacher training institutions, to design for us, amidst the energy blockade and the intensification of the blockade, what courses we could offer without denying that we were going to offer the courses anyway."
Regarding this, the president stated: "I knew I was giving them a very difficult task. And I never doubted it, but I always considered what options they could offer."
"And I believe that after two weeks they presented the first proposal for school courses; and it was a truly innovative, truly creative proposal." Díaz-Canel Bermúdez emphasized that this type of response, under such adverse conditions, can only be generated by "commitment and confidence in the Revolution."
Therefore, because of "this collective effort that has allowed us to begin the school year," the Head of State affirmed: "It is worthwhile to express our gratitude and recognition to all our teachers, all our professors, all our institutions, parents, families, and communities for what they have accomplished."
"And a third issue, then, is the challenge of how we teach and how we learn in a time of transformation. Because it's not just about starting the school year: it's about starting the school year and how we defend, amidst the complexity, the quality of the education."
"And a third issue, then, is the challenge of how we teach and how we learn." The Cuban President told reporters: "I’ll go even further: what we have all agreed upon, what we have set out to do, is to strive for higher quality education during this challenging year."
"Every classroom will become a workshop for solutions. It will be a difficult year, but it will be a dignified one."
"This start of the school year is an embrace of optimism and an expression of the Revolution’s and the country’s determination to continue defending such a sublime and paradigmatic social achievement as the nation itself. It is about giving our children, our grandchildren, our youth, and our children the right to an education; and it is also about giving them the right to dream and allowing us to share those dreams."
A CALL TO TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba wanted to make a call, first and foremost, to the teachers, of whom he said: "We know that you also face the complexities of daily life within your families, that your salary is not what we would like, nor does it compensate for all your efforts."
To them, Díaz-Canel Bermúdez sent this message: "Be aware that you are the backbone, along with our creators and artists, of the cultural resilience of this people; that we need your capacity for innovation; we also need your dedication, your commitment, and your embrace of children who may be in a more vulnerable situation."
"Because they," the president said about the teachers, "are not only transmitters of knowledge: our teachers, our professors, our teaching staff, are above all builders of the resilience that distinguishes us as a nation and that distinguishes us as a people."
To the young people, to the students, the President of the Republic of Cuba expressed: "Be aware that all this effort was made for you, that all this collective effort was made for you. Therefore, there is no justification for using a lack of teaching materials or pedagogical resources as an excuse not to learn."
"On the contrary: dedicate yourselves passionately to your studies, dedicate yourselves passionately to learning, and let that also be part of your contribution to this daily effort and to the great effort that the entire country has made so that the school year could begin today."
To the Cuban family, the dignitary emphasized that "the school alone cannot do it" and that, together, school and family, "we must contribute" and “we must defend this endeavor."
Toward the end of his remarks, Díaz-Canel Bermúdez extended a message to Cuban society: "Happy start to the school year, and we wish everyone success."
NO JUST ANY BELL RINGS
The National Central Ceremony for the start of the 2026-2027 School Year opened with a tribute to Fidel Castro and was moving from beginning to end: filled with art, music, dance, and the talent of children, teenagers, and young adults. It was a start that, quite justifiably, could bring tears to some eyes, as it was a testament to the fact that, against all odds and despite an enemy that is denying life through multiple means and maneuvers, the Island is reopening its classrooms to sow knowledge and feelings in the souls of its children.
It was a beautiful morning, very close to the sea, and was also attended by the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz; as well as other leaders of the Communist Party, the Government, the Union of Young Communists, mass and student organizations, training institutions, and others that maintain working relationships with the Education sector.
Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto delivered the keynote address. She told everyone: "September has arrived once again, and as on every first day of the ninth month of the year, the Cuban School reopens its doors. The rising sun, illuminating classrooms, playgrounds, and institutions on this day, heralds a new beginning, revealing the joyful arrival of our children, the confident and gentle steps of the teachers, and the urgent yet hopeful presence of the families."
"This has been the case for every generation, in the joy of the achievement that has given us our identity and that the world recognizes as the great work of the Revolution."
Naima emphasized that "the bell that summons us today sounds different. It is not just the ringing of a bell, the signal from a loudspeaker, or the teacher’s firm call inviting us to begin: It is the heartbeat of a nation that decides, once again, to invest in its future. It is the sound of resistance, of tenderness, and of hope. It is heard with the strength of those of us who know that educating is the noblest and most just thing we can do."
The minister stressed that "education in Cuba is not negotiable. It is not measured in new blackboards or pristine uniforms, although we will fight every day, every moment, to have them." She said this because "education in Cuba is measured by the dignity of not abandoning anyone," and "it is measured by the certainty that, even if one resource is lacking, there will be an abundance of creativity, solidarity, and love from our teachers."
Naima spoke of Fidel as an inspiration; He recalled "one of the most significant events for Cuban educators and for our entire people: That epic that forever changed the face of Cuba, the Literacy Campaign of 1961"; and reflected that, 65 years later, "we face new challenges, but the spirit and determination are the same."
The minister emphasized that "the great challenge of this school year, and our greatest victory, will be making each day of learning sustainable." She stressed that this school year "is designed with flexibility and individualized response in mind. Each school, each region, each community has its own conditions and possibilities, and therefore decisions will be made at the local level."
The minister thanked the teachers, busy preparing for the new school year, for their heroism; and she asked for the families' trust and participation. She also extended a message to the students:
"We want to tell you that this school year will be a challenge, but also an opportunity. Know that your smiles, your curiosity, and your desire to learn are the main reason for our efforts."
