The General Directorate of Education in Holguin province is driving the sector’s full recovery more than a month after Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba. This includes repairing damaged schools and ensuring the continuity of the 2025-2026 school year.
With the largest school network in the country, the province registered more than 500 schools affected by the storm. With varying degrees of damage, including partial and total roof collapses. A significant number of these schools have been repaired to guarantee the continuation of classes, reported Luis Felipe Batista Rodríguez, General Director of Education in Holguin.
For the schools with the most severe damage, various solutions are being implemented. Including reorganizing the teaching process by relocating students from the most affected buildings to other schools in better condition within or near their communities.
Special education in the province, which encompasses a total of 26 centers of different types distributed across the 14 municipalities, experienced partial and minor damage. As was the case with the Mártires de Sagua school, which suffered damage to the kitchen and dining area, and the Antón Makárenko school in Cueto. Explained Yudelkis Rivera Olivares, a methodology specialist for this type of education.
Thanks to the collaborative work of staff and families in restoring the facilities since the recovery pase. Which focused primarily on cleaning and clearing the exterior and garden areas due to fallen tres. Also as well as minor roof repairs, the educational process continues without disruption.
Currently, the most significant ongoing damage is at the Hipólito Calderón school in Gibara, which suffered partial roof damage. The children have been relocated to the Ricardo Sartorio school. Where they are completing their academic activities until repairs are finished, she explained.
Early childhood activities resumed normally after the storm, and all institutions are providing services. Although some were temporarily relocated for maintenance, commented Yaima Cruz de la Cruz, head of the department in the province.
Moreover to ensure uninterrupted care for children and support for working families. The Estrellitas del Futuro (Little Stars of the Future) childcare center in the municipality of Banes. And the Mi Tesoro (My Treasure) and Moncadistas centers in the provincial capital. Which required renovations, moved their activities to other facilities.
The educator added that the more than 24 childcare centers operating within entities in the Commerce, Construction, Education, and other sectors throughout the province are open. With only one, belonging to the Public Health sector, remaining temporarily relocated.
Despite the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the northeastern region. The General Directorate of Education in Holguin is prioritizing the development of an optimal academic calendar in its more than 1,200 schools. Based on the optimization of human, material, financial, and infrastructure resources.
With information from the Cuban News Agency
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