PINAR DEL RÍO.- Party Political Bureau member and First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez attended opening day ceremonies at René Anillo Capote School, in the People's Council of Entronque de Herradura, Consolación del Sur municipality, Pinar del Río province.

The facility, inaugurated several months ahead of schedule, represents the realization of a longstanding dream of inhabitants, whose children were previously obliged to travel eight to ten kilometers to the towns of Herradura or Consolación to attend secondary school.

With an enrollment of 410 students in middle school and pre-university high school, and a capacity of 500, the mixed-use campus includes classrooms, a library, sports fields, plus computer science, physics, chemistry and biology laboratories.

During his tour, Díaz-Canel conversed with students and teachers, discussing expectations for the coming year, asking about resources and study materials available, as well as teacher preparation in key subjects such as History.

Accompanied by provincial authorities and Education Minister Ena Elsa Velázquez, Diaz-Canel asked several students their opinion about the new school, and how they had previously traveled to class.

Ninth grader Odaimys Días Mirabal told Granma, that she traveled daily to the municipal seat Consolación del Sur, facing constant problems with transportation. She commented that having the school in Entronque de Herradura will allow students more time to concentrate on their studies and rest.

Across the country, yesterday September 5, some 10,600 educational centers opened their doors for the 2016-2017 academic year, Minister Velázquez noted, emphasizing that despite economic limitations facing the nation, basic resources were guaranteed for all.

The beginning of school is always a big day for Cuban families, she said, and education has been a priority since the triumph of the Revolution.