The fuel crisis has halted school bus operations, leaving over 1.4 million students to start the academic year in Cuba. Families across the island are navigating severe shortages of fuel, qualified teachers, and basic supplies as the new term begins, with many relying on makeshift solutions to ensure their children can attend classes. The Barroso family, for example, hitched a wooden cart to a borrowed horse to transport one of their daughters to school, following the theft and slaughter of their own horse by thieves. This incident highlights the broader crisis gripping the nation, where economic hardship has forced families to improvise in the face of systemic failures. The education ministry acknowledged the dire situation, calling the return to classrooms a "heroic act" for a country whose free, universal education system was once a symbol of the 1959 revolution. However, the challenges have grown more severe since the previous school year was abruptly ended in June, a full month ahead of schedule, due to compounding crises. Persistent shortages of power, water, and fuel, exacerbated by longstanding sanctions and a U.S. oil embargo, have left schools struggling to function. Over 10,000 schools across Cuba were scheduled to open on Tuesday, welcoming 1.4 million children and 135,000 teachers, but the reality on the ground is far more complex. Teacher shortages have reached critical levels, with nationwide coverage dropping to 73% as the government deployed over 3,000 educators from eastern provinces to Havana. Officials attribute the vacancies to depressed salaries and widespread emigration, leaving many schools understaffed. Education Minister Naima Trujillo Barreto appealed to citizens to fill the gaps, urging university students, professionals, and retirees to volunteer as instructors.#cuba #education_ministry #naima_trujillo_barreto #barroso_family #yurima_izaguirre
Outrage over child abuse at day-care facility in Israel leads to nationwide protests Thousands of Israeli parents took to the streets across the country on Sunday, demanding urgent reforms to child-care systems after a 25-year-old daycare owner was exposed as having systematically abused toddlers. The protests, which spanned at least 25 locations, were fueled by widespread horror over the case of Carmel Mauda, a caregiver at a private kindergarten in Rosh Ha’ayin, who faces multiple charges of severe physical abuse against children under her care. The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with parents and supporters calling for stricter oversight of private daycare centers and greater state involvement in regulating early childhood education. The protests, marked by chants such as “the country demands justice for the children,” saw roads blocked in major cities like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Participants waved signs bearing messages like “Mother, Father, save me” and “Don’t abandon our children,” reflecting the deep emotional distress of families and the broader public. The demonstrations followed the release of hidden camera footage that revealed Mauda’s alleged actions, which have shocked Israelis and drawn comparisons to a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse. Mauda, who ran the Baby Love daycare center, is accused of subjecting 11 children—ranging in age from 3 months to 3 years—to a range of violent and cruel treatment. The charges include covering children with blankets and sitting on them to restrict movement, forcing toddlers to stand against walls for extended periods, lifting and throwing young children, shaking infants, and physically assaulting toddlers with slaps and hits.#israel #education_ministry #carmel_mauda #baby_love_daycare #rosh_haayin
CBSE Cancels Class X Exams for Gulf Students Amid Regional Tensions The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced on Thursday (March 5, 2026) that the Class X board examinations for students in Gulf countries had been canceled following a “critical review of the prevailing situation in parts of the Middle East.” The board stated that the mode of declaring results for these students would be communicated separately “in due time.” In the same circular, the CBSE confirmed that the Class XII board exams, originally scheduled for Saturday (March 7) for students in the Gulf region, had been postponed indefinitely. This marks the third such update issued by the board for students in countries like Bahrain, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia since the conflict in West Asia escalated. The CBSE had previously postponed both Class X and XII exams for Gulf students scheduled for March 5 and 6, respectively, on Tuesday. In the latest circular, the board urged students to “remain in close contact” with their schools and emphasized reliance on official announcements for updates. According to Education Ministry data as of December 2024, there were approximately 214 middle, secondary, and senior secondary schools affiliated with the CBSE in the seven Gulf countries mentioned. However, the ministry noted that this list may include overlapping entries, as some senior secondary schools also offer secondary and middle school classes. The CBSE reiterated that the postponement of Class XII exams for Gulf students would remain in effect until further notice, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty in the region.#middle_east #central_board_of_secondary_education #cbse #gulf_countries #education_ministry
