HAVANA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday attended a national ceremony here to start the 2023-2024 school year, the first to take place in 46 weeks after the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban news agency Prensa Latina reported.
The president extended congratulations and wished success to children across the country who returned to their classrooms, the Presidency of the Republic reported on its X account, formerly known as Twitter.
"The happy day has arrived. Back to the classroom, to classes, to friends, to the certainty that all the efforts and sacrifices are worth it to see the future filling with light," Diaz-Canel said. "Congratulations Cuba because, whatever the cost, all your schools are still open."
About 1.6 million students returned to classrooms on Monday across over 16,000 schools, and more than 162,000 teachers attended the new academic year, according to the Cuban Ministry of Education.
Claudia Paola Rodriguez, a 10-year-old student from the Havana district of El Vedado, was excited to get back to classes on Monday, where she got to meet classmates and teachers again after a two-month break. "I like this school very much because I can learn different subjects and play with my friends," she said.
Silvia Boada, a third-grade teacher, feels optimistic about the success of the new school year. "This will be a period of huge challenges, but we will work together for more inclusive and higher quality classes," she said. ■