Authorities admit on Cuban Television that uniforms will only be available for students in the initial years.
14ymedio, Havana, 29 August 2025 — On the Round Table TV program this Thursday, Cuba’s Education authorities who, until now, only only offered glimpses of the problem to the official press, finally acknowledged the magnitude of the delays in preparations for the school year, which begins on Monday. The problem is particularly critical in the case of school uniforms, of which no fewer than 1.3 million pieces remain to be manufactured.
The figure was provided by Mirla Díaz Fonseca, president of the Light Industry Business Group (Gempil), who explained that the total demand for the 2025-2026 school year was 3.6 million pieces, but only 2.3 million pieces were financed. The solution—one already used in past academic years—was to prioritize the initial grades, that is, those starting a new level of education who are, therefore, unable to reuse clothing from their previous year.
“We decided, like in other years, to prioritize the early grades because those children have no alternatives. It’s true that it’s very difficult in the continuing grades, where they won’t have uniforms. It’s difficult because they grow and gain weight; so it becomes more complex,” explained Díaz Fonseca.
The Minister of Education, for her part, bluntly admitted: “This is the second consecutive year in which we haven’t been able to provide, let’s say, the continuity uniforms, which is beginning to have a stronger impact on families.” In fact, she acknowledged that only 20% of the enrollment will have new uniforms.
Uniforms for all the initial grades are guaranteed either: “Of the six initial grades, only three,” she stated. The rest, if all goes according to plan, could receive their first piece by the end of October.
The clothes they obtain on their own must still adhere to certain requirements, such as “respecting the colors of the educational level.”
Breaking new ground with regards to a strict rule in Cuban schools, the minister asserted that the use of uniforms has been “relaxed” so that students who don’t meet the requirements can attend school without problems in other attire. However, the clothing they obtain on their own must still meet certain requirements, such as “respecting the colors of the educational level.”
“We know that for Cuban families, the uniform has extraordinary symbolism. It represents equality within the school; and also savings, because when you have the uniform—even if we have to wash it from time to time—it’s not the same as dressing the children in appropriate clothing every day,” said the minister, romanticizing the outfits.
But behind the symbolism lies the economic reality. A recent report published by 14ymedio exposed how this shortage fuels an informal market that has gained momentum. In Matanzas, for example, school uniforms that should be sold in state-run stores for 75 pesos are being resold in Telegram, Facebook, and WhatsApp groups for prices ranging from 150 to 600 pesos, depending on the condition, size, and urgency. In Havana, this figure can even triple.
The problems don’t end there. In addition to uniforms, the well-known teacher shortages across all levels, and the closure of schools not mentioned 0n the Round Table program, educational institutions, as the Ministry itself acknowledged, are working with a “tight standard” for school supplies. Rolando Ruiz Peraza, Director General of Planning and Assurance for the ministry, explained: “The term ’tight standard’ gives the impression that it’s not ideal, but it solves the problem.” Last year, students received only 50% of their notebooks and pencils. This year, the major improvement is that each student will receive two pencils per month, although the number of notebooks will remain at a minimum.
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