Structure
of the Cuban School System
Classes from: September to July
Kindergarten
Age
level: 4-6 years old
Uniform: white top, blue bottom, blue scarf Children are taught
about their country, learn the national anthem, discpline, as well
as regular kindergarten 'stuff'.
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Primary
Type
of school providing this education: Escuela primaria
Length of program in years: 6
Age level: 6-11 years old
Uniform: White top, red bottom, red scarf
Basic
Secondary
Type
of school providing this education: Secundaria Básica
Length of program in years: 3
Age level: 12-15 years old
Certificate/diploma awarded: Secondary School Completion Diploma
Uniform: White top, yellow bottom
Uniform: White top, navy blue bottom (Plantation Schools)
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Technical
Secondary
Type
of school providing this education: Escuela Tecnológica
Length of program in years: 3
Age level: 15-18 old
Upper
Secondary
Type
of school providing this education: Ciclo medio superior or preuniversitario
(Higher Intermediate Cycle)
Length of program in years: 3
Age
level: 15-18 old
Certificate/diploma awarded: Bachillerato (Secondary School Leaving
Certificate)
Uniform: For medical school: white top purple bottom
School
education
Secondary education is divided into basic secondary
education and pre-university secondary education. At the end of
basic secondary education, pupils can choose between pre-university
education and technical and professional education. Those who complete
pre-university education are awarded the Bachillerato. Technical
training leads to two levels of qualification - skilled worker and
middle-level technician. Successful completion of this cycle gives
access to the technological institutes.
Higher
education
Higher education is provided by universities, higher
institutes, higher pedagogical institutes, centers of higher eduacation
and higher polytechnic institutes. All institutions of higher education
are public. The Ministerio de Educación Superior (MES) is
responsible for policy in matters of undergraduate and postgraduate
education. It controls teaching, methodology, courses and programmes
and the allocation of student places, as well as the specialization
courses offered by centres of higher education which come under
the control of other ministries. All institutions have the same
status.
Academic
year
Stages
of studies:
Post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):
Non-university level:
Technical/vocational studies are provided in Institutos superior
politécnicos. Studies last for two-and-a-half to three years.
University level studies
University
level: Licenciatura:
The first and main stage of higher education usually lasts for four
or five years. In Medicine, studies last for five or six years..
Courses that are offered to workers usually last longer than traditional
courses. At the end of the first stage, students are awarded a Licenciatura
or a Título profesional (professional diploma). Professional
titles are awarded in all fields.
University level second stage: Diplomado, Maestría, Especialista:
Diplomado courses have three levels, each requiring some 200 hours
of theoretical instruction, practical work, industrial internship
and a final project. Students can gain academic credit towards completion
of a Master's degree and are allowed to work on a Master's thesis
as they progress through Diplomado studies. The second stage corresponds
to a period of in-depth study and research which leads to the Maestría
after two years. In Medicine, the first stage is usually followed
by a course of professional specialization leading to a specific
specialization. Especialista programs are designed for people in
industry.
University level third stage: Candidato a Doctor en Ciencias:
Three to four year programs lead to the Candidato a Doctor en Ciencias.
This qualification is required for entry to studies for the Doctor
en Ciencias.
University level fourth stage: Doctor en Ciencias
The Doctor en Ciencias is awarded following additional years of
scientific research. The thesis has to be defended before a jury,
and once approval is forthcoming, it's then published in academic
journals.
Teacher education
Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school
teachers
A five-year course is provided for elementary or special-education
teachers in Institutos Superiores Pedagógicos. They obtain
the Licenciado en Educación Primaria or other types of degrees.
Training of secondary school teachers
Secondary school teachers are trained in Institutos Superiores Pedagógicos
which offer five-year courses to qualify students for basic secondary
and upper secondary teachers' certificates. They are conferred a
Licenciatura en Educación. Admission to these courses is
based on the Bachillerato.
Training of higher education teachers
Higher education teachers are offered specialized upgrading courses
in the subjects they teach as well as teacher training courses.
Many teachers are professionals from the production field. They
also receive teacher training. Where teachers are specially selected
graduate students, as has mostly been the case in the last ten years,
they receive initial teacher training simultaneously with their
studies.
Non-traditional studies
Distance higher education
Non-formal studies are offered in many centers of higher education
which provide courses for workers in addition to their traditional
full-time courses. Candidates must have completed secondary school,
have at least one year's work experience, be between 25 and 35 years
of age and pass an entrance examination. These studies are offered
as evening or correspondence courses (week-ends) and generally last
six years. There are also 'guided' or free courses open to all secondary
school or higher education graduates.
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