University Extension: the Workers’ School at the University of Oriente (1953–1955)

Abstract

Since its establishment in 1947, the University of Oriente forged a solid tradition of reverence for José Martí’s intellectual legacy, which became the central axis of its academic and social mission. This orientation was evident not only in its modern academic vision—linked to regional economic development and committed to the comprehensive education of individuals—but also in the university’s vigorous program of cultural outreach, coordinated by the Department of Cultural Relations and the University Student Federation of Oriente (FEUO). The creation of the Workers’ School was closely connected to the political crisis triggered by the coup d’état of March 10, 1952, as well as to the ideological effervescence surrounding the centenary of José Martí. Within this context, the University organized a cycle of Martí-themed lectures that underscored the contemporary relevance of the Apostle’s thought in opposition to the dictatorship, inspiring students and faculty to promote an educational initiative aimed at raising workers’ general cultural level and strengthening their social and national consciousness. The school initially operated under the joint leadership of professors and students, offering instruction free of charge. Its open enrollment policy and the lack of ideological prerequisites facilitated broad and diverse participation. Institutional support, together with strong student engagement, consolidated an unprecedented extension initiative in eastern Cuba—one that combined popular education, cultural activism, and ethical-political commitment. This study therefore seeks to examine the emergence, development, and eventual dissolution of the Workers’ School “Rafael María de Mendive” as one of the most significant expressions of extension work at the University of Oriente prior to 1959.