Rolando Pascual Fundora received the title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba from the President. Photo: Estudios Revolución

With a mixture of gratitude, humility, and deep conviction, Cuba celebrated its teachers. Amid daily challenges and material limitations, Educator's Day focused on the vocation of those who train new generations, not for a reward, but for the duty to contribute to the education of others. From primary school classrooms to university laboratories, work that goes beyond teaching was recognized: guiding, inspiring, and building, with patience and example, the future of the country.

It was from this perspective that the Higher Education awards and recognition ceremony was held, during which Rolando Pascual Fundora La Rosa, who serves as general director of Services at the Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas (UCLV), was awarded the title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba.

This high distinction, received from the hands of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, is a recognition of someone who is an example of humility and revolutionary rigor, of unwavering loyalty to the homeland, of an educator who knows no rest. A man who has made high standards, humility, and absolute fidelity to the Revolution his greatest academic achievement.

Valuable workers were also honored with the Frank País Order of the first and second degrees in recognition of their extensive and outstanding careers, which have contributed significantly to the development and improvement of the Cuban educational system. Other educators received the José Tey medal and the distinction "For Cuban Education."

With a profound mixture of gratitude and simplicity, Professor Estrella María de la Paz Martínez, PhD in Sciences, from the UCLV, upon receiving her recognition, recalled the emotion and motivation it provokes, but also "the doubt as to whether we will have done enough to be rewarded." However, a review of her record shows evidence of a lifetime of contributions: "We have done something for society and for our country," she said, referring to the training of young people and the raising of the scientific level of professionals and cadres.

Professor Estrella María defined the commitment of educators as a daily task guided by ethics and respect: "Quite simply, we live and work doing the best we can."

The Minister of Higher Education, Walter Baluja García, recognized the historical and current role of Cuban teachers and professors as builders of national identity and protagonists of the achievements of the Revolution.

He also drew a historical line linking the "illustrious teachers" who forged a love for a sovereign Cuba with today's educators, whom he defined as "the main drivers of the ideas of a strong, independent, and free nation." Thanks to their work, he stressed, "the quality and humanism of Cuban education is recognized in every corner of the planet."

With an eye on the centenary of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and the 50th anniversary of the Ministry of Higher Education, the minister called for redoubled efforts in line with the missions outlined by the historic leader. He quoted Fidel's visionary call on March 13, 1959, about the need for educated men and a university linked to research and technical progress in the country, interpreting it today as the basis of the current "system of government management based on science and innovation."

EVERYDAY AND ANONYMOUS HEROISM

"Without education, progress, a bright future, or even the Revolution itself cannot be conceived," said Minister of Education Naima Trujillo Barreto in her speech at the national ceremony for Educator's Day, held at the José Martí Anti-Imperialist Tribune on Monday.

At the ceremony, attended by the First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and the member of the Political Bureau and Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, Trujillo Barreto stressed that educational and cultural training, promoted since the beginning of the revolutionary process by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, has been the fundamental pillar of all the transformation achieved.

"It was no coincidence," said the minister, emphasizing that education and culture achieved "practically all the transformation desirable for the Revolution and for humanity."

In a global context marked by cognitive wars, fascist and genocidal expressions such as those suffered by the Palestinian people, and acts of piracy against nations such as Venezuela, the minister emphasized the crucial role of Cuban schools as bastions of ideas and resistance.

Addressing educators, she acknowledged the enormous daily effort made by teachers, students, non-teaching staff, and cadres to adapt to the complex current circumstances and find successful alternatives. "Achievements are only the beginning of great battles to perfect them and make them sustainable at any cost," she said.

The minister stressed that the work of revolutionary educators goes beyond the classroom, extending to the community, the family, and the care of individuals. "Our main strength lies in their daily, anonymous heroism, in their calm, simple, and altruistic approach," she said.

During the ceremony, the President of the Republic awarded the Frank País Order of the First Degree to Isabel Ríos Leonard, a prominent researcher at the Central Institute of Pedagogical Sciences. In addition, other awards were presented, such as the José Tey medal and the distinction "For Cuban Education," among others.

Other PCC and government officials, training organizations, student organizations, youth organizations, and mass organizations were also present at this celebration.

HEALTH EDUCATORS: BUILDERS OF A SOLIDARITY SYSTEM

In a moving ceremony of decorations and awards for Educator's Day in the public health sector, Dr. Julio Guerra Izquierdo, deputy minister of the sector, paid tribute to the educators who devote their lives to training new generations of professionals in the sector.

The official emphasized that the work of these educators "goes beyond imparting knowledge," underscoring their essential role as "guides, mentors, and role models." Thanks to their dedication, he said, it has been possible to "build a more solid health system that has had the capacity to train professionals for Cuba and many countries around the world."

At this celebration, which was attended by the Minister of Public Health, Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda, several professionals were also recognized with the Frank País Order of the First Degree and the José Tey Medal. In addition, prominent professors and researchers received the title of Professor Emeritus from the University of Medical Sciences in Havana. (Granma)