Cuba faces school uniform shortages for 1.5 million students

More than 1.5 million children and adolescents in Cuba are set to begin the 2026-2027 school year on September 1. While Education Minister Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto stated that professionals have worked to ensure an orderly start through flexible institutional projects and individualized responses, the nation faces a significant shortage of school supplies.

Official reports indicate that the domestic textile industry produced between 2.2 and 2.3 million pieces of clothing, failing to meet the required 3.6 million. Consequently, the Minister admitted that only approximately 20% of students will receive new uniforms at the start of the academic year. This shortage has led to regional disparities, with provinces like Holguín and Ciego de Ávila reporting uneven distribution and limited availability.

To manage the scarcity, the government has allowed students to attend classes without uniforms and has implemented adjusted schedules and double sessions in some schools. Beyond clothing, families have expressed concerns on social media regarding the lack of backpacks, shoes, and snacks.