Cuban ambassador brings socialist education to Oxford
Morning Star | Tuesday, 22 April 2025 | Click here for original article
Cuban Ambassador Ismara Vargas Walter with students at Cheney School
EDUCATION is one of the pillars of the Cuban revolution. In spite of all the hardships caused by the illegal unilateral blockade imposed by the US, Cuba continues to prioritise free education and healthcare from the cradle to the grave to all of its citizens.
Half the budget of Cuba is devoted to education, health and social security.
During the visit, the Cuban ambassador to Britain, HE Ismara Mercedes Vargas Walter, said: “The make-up of any country’s budget tells you everything about the priorities of the country.”
The comments came days after Britain announced its intention to slash its international development budget and put the funds towards boosting its military capacity.
The move sparked the resignation from the British Cabinet of Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds.
The visit last week to Oxford, where Vargas Walter was joined by First Secretary Pablo Arturo Ginarte Sampedro, was an opportunity to exchange information on the British and Cuban systems.
Organised by the Oxford Cuba Solidarity Campaign (CSC) and the National Education Union, Oxfordshire, the visit began with a visit to Cheney School, which has a rich history dating back to 1797.
The school serves 1,700 students aged 11 to 18, with 33 per cent having English as an additional language, reflecting its diversity.
Originally a language college, it later specialised in student leadership, promoting student voice and leadership in sports and languages.
The school also hosts England’s first school museum, accredited by the Arts Council — the Rumble Museum.
After a tour of the school by deputy head Louise Elias and head of economics and business George Buchanan, Martin Daniels, the school’s head of politics, and Buchanan hosted an exchange with sixth-form politics students.
The students asked some thought-provoking questions about Cuba, including the country’s troubled relationship with the US.
Vargas Walter was able to tell the students about the strength of the education system in Cuba, being rooted in the support of the people.
While education has such a level of priority in Cuba, in the US, the administration of President Donald Trump has slashed spending for education and has made it clear that it intends to close the federal education department.
But this was a decision for the US to make and not something that Cuba would comment on. The ambassador underlined the importance of respecting the sovereignty of all countries to have their own political systems and to make their own decisions.
The conversation made a huge contribution towards broadening the understanding of the students of the Cuban revolution and geopolitics.
The visit ended with a meeting with the headteacher, Rob Pavey, who has led the school since 2020. The head was rightly very proud that Cheney was one of the most diverse schools in the city.
Next door to the school is the excellent and very modern Oxford Brookes University. Founded originally in 1865 as the Oxford School of Art, the university has deep roots in serving the working-class community.
It became Oxford Polytechnic in 1970 and gained university status in 1992, named after its former principal, John Henry Brookes, who championed accessible and inclusive education.
The ambassador and the First Secretary took part in an informal discussion on the Cuban education system with research students led by Professor Patrick Alexander, research lead in education.
The exchange highlighted the values and achievements of Cuba’s educational model, sparking a conversation about shared challenges and aspirations in the field of education.
The ambassador told those present that a key principle of the Cuban revolution was to “share what we have, not just what we might have left over.”
That is why Cuba prioritises sending medical brigades abroad, and why it was important that, wherever you lived, all Cubans should be able to access educational opportunities.
The Covid-19 pandemic was a real challenge, but even though more than 400 websites and apps were forbidden by the blockade for use in Cuba, the Ministry of Education made sure that learning materials were available online for all students free of charge.
During the one-year lockdown the government also made sure that there was neighbourhood access to computers and the internet.
An important part of Cuban education is that those who go through the system are expected to give back.
Every student is assigned to what is described as social work, which could involve working at a rural hospital or in a factory for one or two years.
After a brief walking tour of Oxford led by CSC Oxford secretary Carol Stavris, the Cuban delegation was welcomed to Lula’s Ethiopian restaurant in the city centre for a reception of local trade unionists, activists and the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Mike Rowley.
In a brief address to the gathering, Vargas Walter underlined the importance of continuing solidarity with Cuba in the face of the brutal US blockade and designation of the Caribbean island as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Highlighting the absurdity of this designation, the ambassador noted that Cuba has no history of terrorism; rather, it has been a victim of such acts.
Vargas Walter explained Cuba’s commitment to humanitarian efforts, with its doctors, teachers, and missions reaching vulnerable communities worldwide, asserting that Cuba’s only “guilt” lies in defending its right to an independent and sovereign future.
She thanked the efforts of supporters for continuing to advocate on behalf of Cuba. She recognised their campaign efforts and truth-sharing about Cuba.
She assured them that their campaigning is appreciated by her, but most importantly by the people of Cuba. They were making a real difference and were a powerful force for change.
Vargas Walter told the gathering that she was keen to develop closer collaboration between the embassy and Oxford. She also invited as many supporters as could to come to Cuba and experience the unique island first hand.
The visit was a huge success, and another visit to Oxford to engage on health is being planned. The visit added to the already healthy bonds of friendship and co-operation between Cuba and the British people.
Change will take place when Cuba is able to engage with more young people in the way that they were able to during the visit to Oxford. It is one of the key ways that the old cold war warriors will, in the end, be defeated.
