Cuba's new school year is beginning under a cloud of scarcity that mirrors the island's broader economic collapse. Families across the country are struggling to outfit their children for the classroom, with uniforms, notebooks, and even pencils becoming difficult to find in a market where basic goods have long been in short supply. The crisis extends beyond the home, as many schools face a chronic shortage of teachers who have emigrated or been forced to take on multiple classes, while crumbling infrastructure and unreliable electricity compound the challenges. The situation underscores how deeply Cuba's economic deterioration has penetrated into the daily lives of ordinary citizens, turning what should be a routine start to the academic year into a test of resilience for thousands of families.
Back to school in crisis-hit Cuba: families contend with shortage of uniforms, teachers and basic equipment EL PAÍS English
