The Cuban Ministry of Higher Education (MES) postponed the higher education entrance exams corresponding to this school year “until the health situation (caused by the pandemic) of coronavirus allows it.”
The tests were originally planned for early May.
In a note released this Thursday on its official website, the MES explains that the decision was made taking into account compliance with the phase plan approved by the National Working Group, which dictates the measures to face the pandemic on the island.
NOTA INFORMATIVA No. 2 SOBRE LOS EXÁMENES DE INGRESO A LA EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR. https://t.co/cyhb5oCvbE
— MES (@CubaMES) April 9, 2020
The Cuban government suspended the school year as of March 25 to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The closure was scheduled for a period of three weeks, in addition to the following week, which corresponds to the school break.
This was reported by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero in the Mesa Redonda television program, dedicated to explaining the measures taken by the Cuban authorities to confront the pandemic, with the participation of officials from various ministries in the country.
During his address, Marrero cited concerns associated with overcrowding and hygiene in schools on the island.
“Many agree that being at school is safer than being on the street, but there are concerns about overcrowded or hygienic conditions in some schools, which has been the subject of analysis,” he said.
According to the measures reported at that time, on Monday, April 20, teaching activities would resume, depending on the epidemiological situation.
However, the number of COVID-19 patients in Cuba has registered an increase in the last week, which casts doubt on whether the classrooms will be opened on the planned date.
The MES decision now seems to confirm that the suspension will also extend to May.
Ministro de Salud de Cuba: el riesgo de entrar en la fase epidémica es muy alto
Cuban Minister of Public Health Dr. José Ángel Portal acknowledged this Wednesday that the risk of the island entering the epidemic phase is “very high” and called on the population to act with responsibility and discipline to prevent the spread of the disease.
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This Thursday Cuba reported 58 new positive cases, bringing the total number of those infected with the new coronavirus to 515. The number of deaths caused by COVID-19 reached 15, almost a month after the first positive case of that disease was detected on the island.
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