Cuban Education

Education

The organization of the educational system was one of the primary goals of the young Revolution. Literacy became history after a massive campaign in 1961. Education is also free and compulsory up to 9th grade (14 years of age). In rural areas students are grouped in schools according to geographic sectors where they are also provided with free accommodation, food and transport. In these schools studies are combined with work, that is, students contribute with some of their time in specific agricultural labors. In this way, not only the school's food supply improves, but also the common sense for practical work. Admission into a pre-university level or into a technical-professional institution is the basis for further professional studies. Havana, Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba constitute the main university cities, although today universities have expanded to the rest of the provincial capitals and minor towns.