http://www.granma.cu/INGLES/2008/julio/lun21/Reflections-21julio.html
Havana. July 21, 2008
Reflections of Fidel
EDUCATION IN CUBA
(Translated by ESTI)
IT would seem our country has the most educational problems in the world.
All of the cables that reach us report the many and difficult challenges we
face: a deficit of over 8,000 teachers, disrespectful and ill-mannered
students, lack of training, in short: problems of all sorts.
I don't believe, to begin with, that we're in such bad shape. Not one
developed country shares our schooling indices and the educational
opportunities open to all citizens, which we maintain in spite of the unjust
blockade and the shameless plundering of arms, muscles and brains Cuba endures.
The United States and other wealthy countries cannot even compare
themselves to us. They do have many more automobiles, use more fuel, consume
more drugs, buy more cosmetics and benefit from pillaging our countries, as
they have done for centuries.
Imperialism seeks to return Cuban women to the condition of merchandise,
pleasure objects and servants for the rich. They do not forgive countries for
their struggle for liberation. It yearns to return to the time when black
Cubans were barred from using recreational facilities. Then, many citizens
lacked employment, social security and medical services.
To MartÃ, freedom was very dear and one had to pay the price for it or
resign oneself to a life without it. That is the question all Cubans must ask
themselves each day.
How feasible are the aspirations of our enemies? Only we have the answer,
within each of us. In terms of education, should we not ask ourselves if our
educational system employs a bureaucratic method which teaches science without
conscience? I don't believe we have regressed that much. In any event, each one
of us must ask these questions to avoid having our dignity spat on. We should
expect no mercy from our enemies.
There are tens of thousands of people who think, speak, act and make
decisions. The measures that are adopted every day are in their hands.
Let us keep a watchful eye on our enemies and let us do exactly the
opposite of what they want from us to continue being who we are.
This is an appeal to our conscience. The Revolution justifiably demands
from us that we work more, that is to say, that we work! We have held our
ground for 50 years. The new generations are much better educated to face the
challenges; we have the right to demand from them much more. Let us not become
discouraged by the news spread by our enemies, which distorts the meaning of
our words and paints our self-criticisms as tragedies. The wellspring of our
revolutionary ethics is inexhaustible.
Fidel Castro Ruz
July 19, 2008
12:14 p.m.
