UNITED KINGDOM, 15th April, 2017.-A fringe meeting on Cuba, convened by Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) took place on the occasion of the annual conference of the biggest British teachers’ union, the National Union of Teachers (NUT).
Several speakers addressed the topic of education in Cuba.
During the event, NUT Secretary General, Kevin Courtney, reminded the attendees that despite the blockade, Cuba had made great achievements in education; an undeveloped country with a great education system.
Niurka María González Orberá, member of the National Secretariat of the National Union of Education, Science and Sports Workers (SNTECD by its Spanish initials)and María Victoria Martínez Zaldívar, Secretary General of SNTECD Provincial Committee in Holguin, were the Cuban representatives to the NUT annual conference.
González Orberá stressed in her speech that Cuban members speak about educational quality during assemblies and that they are actively involved on decision making and budget control and implementation.
The Cuban representative added that the education union in Cuba contributes to the formation of values of the socialist system.
At the end of her address, Niurka María requested the support against the US blockade to Cuba and demanded the return of the territory in Guantanamo illegally occupied by the US naval base.
NUT sent last October a delegation of 22 members to Cuba, where they could meet Cuban teachers. In this regard, Kiri Tuns, NUT Junior Vice President, highlighted that in Cuba, the teaching union has a veto on education policy.
Niparun Nessa, member of this delegation, the most recent awarded (the third one) by NUT with the Steve Sinnott International Solidarity Award, also talked about this visit.
During the question-and-answer session, the Cuban trade unionist acknowledged that despite the blockade, the Cuban government ensures that all children have uniform, school places and meals for free.
Bernard Regan, CSC Secretary, condemned the existence of the immoral blockade against Cuba and highlighted that the Cuban education system is very inclusive since it guarantees education for everyone to all levels. (Embacuba United Kingdom)