Meeting with Cuban Education Minister
Campaign News | Thursday, 22 May 2025
(l-r)Ambassador Ismara Vargas Walter, Kevin Courtney, Ros McNeil, Dr Naima Trujillo Barreto, Ed Harlow, Marian Chorens Cruz, Rob Miller, Mayda Ramos Alemán, Bernard Regan
Representatives from CSC and the National Education Union (NEU) met with the Cuban Minister of Education Dr Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto on 21 May while she was in London to participate in the Education World Forum.
The Minister spoke about Cuba’s education priorities and the challenges of the difficult economic situation the country is facing: “Teachers are the central component of our educational process. We are focussed on the professional training of teachers to the highest standards. It is the emotional bond between students and teachers, that human relationship, which is central to the educational process in Cuba”.
“With Cuba’s changing economy and the rise of new employment areas we need to make sure that education is relevant for our country’s needs. In this context the requirements in a new technological age are challenging,” she explained.
NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede reiterated the union’s solidarity with Cuban teachers: “We are very proud of our union’s ties with Cuba, and our work alongside the Cuba Solidarity campaign, and we are committed to stand with you in the fight against the illegal blockade.”
The NEU sponsored Viva La Educación appeal raised more than £100,000 for materials and equipment requested by the Cuban education union, including 300 refurbished PCS, hundreds of thousands of pencils and tens of thousands of exercise books. The NEU is sending another delegation of 20 teachers to Cuba during the October 2025 half term holiday.
CSC Chair Kevin Courtney, Secretary Bernard Regan, and Director Rob Miller, outlined the work of the Campaign over the past few years and looked ahead to future actions in solidarity including the Education in Cuba conference being planned for November 2025.
Meeting attendees
Cuban Ministry of Education:
Dr Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, Minister of Education
Marian Chorens Cruz, Director of International Relations
Mayda Ramos Alemán, National Methodologist for English Teaching at the Ministry of Education
Cuba Solidarity Campaign:
Kevin Courtney, Chair
Rob Miller, Director
Bernard Regan, Secretary
National Education Union:
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary
Ed Harlow, Senior Vice President
David Wilson, Deputy General Secretary - Political and Strategic Operations
Ros McNeil, Assistant General Secretary - Education, Equality, Research & International
Oliver Mawhinney, International Policy Specialist
