Yenia Silva Correa

More than 4,400 students have graduated from pedagogical high schools – for the first time since their reopening in 2009 - specializing in Primary, Preschool and Special education, while another 3,000 graduated from pedagogical universities, equally committed to their discipline.

Outstanding directors and students from pedagogical high schools were recognized by the Ministry of Education. Photo: Ismael Batista.

The 20 most successful graduates from pedagogical schools throughout the country, and the most outstanding directors during the academic year 2013-2014 were honored in a ceremony held at the José Martí Memorial.

The key speech at the event was made by Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, who emphasized the importance of reopening the pedagogical high schools, stating that they are "a necessary step in professional training, which has shown that – at the secondary and primary level - all the motivations, all the aspirations and sentiments exist, drawing an important group of students toward teaching and toward professional university studies.

Canel Bermúdez called upon the young teachers to approach their work with the preparation and the commitment which is expected of them.

"We ask you in a moment such as this to be passionate about your profession, to thoroughly prepare, lead by example and leave an indelible mark on the spirit of your students.

"Teach with commitment, and through lessons, in their classrooms, contribute to educating the new generations of Cubans, who the homeland and Revolution need for the development of a prosperous and sustainable socialism".

One of the students, Beatriz Cabrera Álvarez, spoke on behalf of all the new graduates, commenting that beginning in September, she will have but one objective "to carry out the educational work which, in our country, has achieved gtratifying results, and today positions it as one of countries with the greatest successes in this respect."

Immediately after the ceremony students and directors met with José Ramón Fernández Álvarez, advisor to President Raul Castro who recognized in the figure of the teacher the "principal element of any educational system."