Global education preparations face regional challenges in Cuba and Vietnam

As the 2026-2027 academic year approaches, educational institutions in Vietnam and Cuba face diverse challenges. In Cuba, Minister of Education Naima Trujillo confirmed that schools will reopen on September 1 despite severe electricity shortages, food scarcity, and fuel deficits caused by economic sanctions and oil blockades. To manage these constraints, higher education will utilize a mix of in-person and remote learning.

In Vietnam, significant efforts are underway to prepare for the new term. In provinces like Quang Ninh, teachers are volunteering to move to remote, mountainous, and island regions to address staffing shortages. Meanwhile, in Dien Bien and Nghệ An, the construction of 108 new inter-level boarding schools for border areas is nearing completion, with many facilities ready to welcome thousands of students by the September 5 opening date.

However, social and psychological issues are also emerging. Some Vietnamese parents report high pressure on children due to intensive extra classes, while health experts are warning about “school refusal” in children experiencing anxiety or emotional distress. Additionally, the sudden closure of the PennSchool Ba Thang Hai facility in Ho Chi Minh City has left nearly 400 students facing sudden changes to their learning plans.