Teachers Association of Cuba
awards Fidel

María Elena Alvarez Ponce

THE Teachers Association of Cuba has awarded the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz the Outstanding Educator of the 20th Century Recognition, as an exceptional teacher of his people and revolutionaries of the world.

In a tribute to Cuban teachers on their day, Lesbia Cánovas, president of the Association, presented the prize to José Ramón Machado Ventura, vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, to give it "with love and gratitude, to Fidel.

In the capital’s Mella Theater, more than 500 educators received similar recognition from young comprehensive teachers (PGI), representing the 1,000 selected nationwide for this first presentation of the recognition, awarded for Fidel’s exemplary life and contributions to Cuban education.

The Union of Young Communists (UJC) and the student organizations proclaimed "teachers of generations" outstanding figures from politics, culture and the sciences, headed by Melba Hernández, Heroine of Moncada.

That select group also included Fauré Chomón, Alicia Alonso, Fina García Marruz, Cintio Vitier (deceased), Rodrigo Alvarez Cambras, Ismael Lozada, Máximo Cabrera, Brigada General Humberto Torres, and Lidia Turner, honorary president of the Cuban Teachers Association.

For its part, the José Martí Young Pioneers Organization presented the Zapaticos de Rosa Prize to José Ramón Fernández, and the Reparador de Sueños Condition to 50 guides, instructors and collaborators who have stood out in the difficult and impassioned mission of educating the new generations of the Revolution.

The ceremony was headed by Miguel Díaz-Canel, member of the Political Bureau and minister of higher education; Olga Lidia Tapia, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee; Lázara Mercedes López Acea, first secretary of the Communist Party in the capital; Ena Elsa Velázquez, minister of education; and Liudmila Alamo, first secretary of the UJC, among others. (AIN)