Education in Cuba has become a top priority for the government since the rule of Castro. Before Castro became president Cuba lacked a standard curriculum for schools. Reforming the educational system in Cuba was one of Castro's main revolutionary goals when he came into power.The government today is in charge of all educational institutions. Castro eliminated all private and religious educational institutions (Grolier, 1995). He created free-of-charge education for all. The major educational problem government is faced with is that children in rural areas are not receiving the same education as those children in urban areas (Dahlman, 1973). The design of the educational system does not suit the needs of those people living in rural areas; it is designed to benefit those living in urban areas. The schools base their curriculum on supporting the upper and middle class since it focuses on academic studies and does not focus on everyday activities. The U.S. trade embargo has created trouble getting supplies to the Cuban teachers, such as paper, pencils, crayons, finger paint, and other basic supplies (Biallas& Biallas, 1996). Education is supposed to equal for all children in Cuba, but evidence shows that access to education is unequal due to socioeconomic status and place of residence.

When Castro became president, he combined health care and education, so children of all social and economic classes would be able to receive adequate health care. Daycare centers are another aspect of Cuban life that Castro changed for the better. Before his rule daycare was nonexistent, but when he became president he made daycare free to families in which the mother worked (Leiner, 1974) and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Daycare became more than a place providing playtime for children. Now the centers provide continuous medical treatment, preventive health care, complete dental care, and proper nutrition for all children (Dahlman, 1973). Personal hygiene is a concern of daycare providers since many rural areas do not have proper bathing facilities (Leiner, 1974). Children are bathed a few times in one day to prevent the spread of childhood diseases.

Castro changed the educational and daycare systems in Cuba since he came into rule, and is currently trying to provide all children equal opportunities and levels of education and daycare.

References
Biallas, L. & Biallas, M. (1996, January). Cuba: Life amoung the ruins. http://www.quincy.edu/~biallas/cuba.html
(1998, November 8).

Dahlman, C. (1973). The nation-wide learning system of Cuba. Princeton, NJ.

Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc. (1995). Cuba. Grolier Electronic Encyclopedia [CD-ROM].

Leiner, M. (1974). Children are the revolution: Daycare in Cuba. New York: Viking Press.