KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Twenty Cuban teachers will be taking up positions in primary, secondary and junior high schools across the island in the new academic term, which commences on September 5.

The teachers, who will be providing instruction in Spanish, physics, mathematics, chemistry, and physical education for three years, replace their colleagues, whose three-year tenure expired at the end of the 2015/16 academic year.

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid, who welcomed the teachers at an orientation session at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston on Wednesday, cited the excellence of the Cuban education system.

He noted that there is much that Jamaica can learn from the Spanish-speaking country.

“Your literacy rates are among the highest in the world. Jamaica is very grateful for the long and cordial relationship we have maintained with Cuba. Your (contributions) to Jamaica’s social development are well noted,” Senator Reid said.   

Cuba’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Bernardo Hernandez, said his Government remains committed to increasing cooperation between the countries’ ministries of education.

“Cuba reiterates its willingness to further develop collaboration with Jamaica and its programmes on the basis that education should be a right for all,” he said.

The recruitment was facilitated under the bilateral agreement on education between the countries for the provision of professional and academic support, through their respective ministries of education.

The teachers will serve in the six education regions spanning the island’s 14 parishes.

Cuban teachers have served in Jamaica since both countries signed the bilateral agreement in 1997.