In a nationally televised address, Cuba’s Education Minister Eva Josefina Torres Trujillo delivered a powerful tribute to the nation’s teaching profession, framing their daily work as an act of modern heroism. The minister’s speech drew direct parallels between contemporary educational efforts and the historic 1961 Literacy Campaign masterminded by revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.
Minister Trujillo identified the preservation of Cuba’s educational achievements as the paramount challenge facing educators today, particularly given the country’s current complex socioeconomic circumstances. She characterized the teaching profession as an ‘epic journey,’ acknowledging that educators remain deeply connected to the emotional landscape of each student they encounter both within classrooms and throughout broader social activities.
Reaffirming Cuba’s foundational educational principles, the minister emphasized that the state-maintained system continues to provide inclusive, universal, and tuition-free education to all citizens. Beyond domestic implementation, Trujillo highlighted how Cuba’s educational model has achieved international influence through cooperative programs that have assisted other nations in combating illiteracy using methodologies inspired by Cuba’s revolutionary experience.
Concluding her address, the education minister extended formal gratitude to educators for their persistent efforts under challenging conditions. She urged teaching professionals to continually reflect on their extraordinary social value and maintain their supportive role in overcoming national educational challenges.