Education in Cuba

Along the way, we've learned about the country and it's history and  customs as told to us by our guide and speakers. Here's a bit on education.

Before 1959, 49% of Cuba's population was illiterate. These people were primality the campesinos, farmers who planted sugar and tobacco, but lived in abject poverty, reportedly exacerbated by the policies of Batista's government. In 1960, Fidel declared to the United Nations that within one year he would eradicate illiteracy, and he appears to have achieved his goal. Today, 98% of Cubans are educated and can read and write. Many have degrees and therein lies a major problem. These educated folks no longer care to work the fields, so there aren't enough workers to plant crops to feed Cubans. Furthermore, the country is becoming saturated with doctors, lawyers and other professionals, so these highly educated people are finding themselves assigned by the government to odd jobs, such as cab driving, craft sellers, waitresses, etc. All over we met degrees professionals who were not in their fields. 

Back to education...teaching begins around 18 months when children enroll in Círculos Infantiles, or day cares. Education is based on Vygotsky's theory of development and influenced by Russian and German models of education. 
Primary, or elementary school, starts at age 5 and lasts 6 years. Children in grades 1-4 wear blue uniforms and red bandanas, and children in grades 5-6 wear red uniforms. Secondary, or high school, lasts 3 years and the uniforms are yellow. Both primary and secondary education are compulsory.

Children graduate at around age 15, then have 2 options, politécnica or pre-universidad. The university track wears blue uniforms and goes for three years. At the end, students take a national test for their chosen field. If they don't pass, they are given 6-7 job alternative job choices. University schooling is free and typically lasts 5 years, although some specialties can take longer (e.g., medicine, foreign languages). After graduation, the person is assigned a job by the government where he/she must work for 2-3 years to repay the government. They can then stay or change employer.

All boys must join the army for one year before university studies. Military service is optional for girls.