Like in other countries around the world, children in Cuba are required to go to school. Normally the children in Cuba start pre-higher primary school at the age of 6. They then stay studying at this school until they reach the age of 11. Once they reach the age of 11, the children have to transfer to a secondary school. Normally they have to stay at the secondary school until they are 15. At the age of 15 they’ll receive a Secondary School Completion Diploma and they may then chose to leave school at that time – if they want. Students who want to continue studying after the age of 15 can do so at either a Technical Secondary School or Upper Secondary School. Students attend either of these, depending on what they want to study, from the ages of 15 to 18. Supposedly, students who attend Technical Secondary Schools are preparing themselves to be skilled workers and mid-level technicians, whilst students who attend Upper Secondary Schools are preparing themselves to attend university. If students are successful at their Upper Secondary School studies, they’ll attend university, which is free for all students. Depending on what students want to study at university, university courses in Cuba last between 4 and 5 years.
CUBAN SCHOOL CHILDREN – The Benefits
Students in Cuba are allowed to travel on the buses for special discount fees. Also, whilst they are studying, students get help with their tuition fees (for Cuban students studying in the United States, the Cuban government will pay them a minimum of US$4,000 per year and a maximum of US$7,000 per year). All students can also apply for scholarships to help them with the cost of their studies.
CUBAN SCHOOL – GRADES
The grade system at Cuban schools is:
100 – 90: Excelente
89 – 80: Muy bien
79 – 70: Bien
69 – 60: insuficiente;
59 – 0: deficient
So, to pass an exam at school in Cuba you must score a mark of 70 or more. Anything less, and you’ve failed!
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