©️National
Port-au-Prince, August 27, 2025.- Educator Wilfrid Gilles sounds alarmed at the decline of the education sector in Haiti, aggravated by the socio-political situation in the country. With nearly 1600 schools in the metropolitan area closed due to gang violence, students face a loss of school days that threatens their future and that of the nation.
Wilfrid Gilles, a committed educator, expresses growing concerns this Wednesday at the Panel Magic mission about the serious consequences that the loss of school days will have on Haitian students. In a context where the educational sector, once a source of hope, is plunged into decline because of the socio-political crisis, Gilles calls for urgent awareness.
The 2024-2025 school calendar, which initially provided for 188 school days, i.e. 940 hours for the basic cycle and 1128 hours for the new secondary school, could not be respected for the majority of students. Indeed, the international standard recommends a minimum of 200 class days. The reality on the ground, however, is quite different.
A UN report reveals that around 1600 schools in the metropolitan area have been forced to close their doors because of the escalation of gang violence. This has seriously undermined the ability of students to follow their school curriculum. Gilles points out that this loss of school days has also hampered official evaluations organized by the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, leaving many students with less than half of their current curriculum.
« Education of Haitian children is biased », warn Gilles. He stresses that the future of the country rests on these children, and that this educational crisis poses a direct threat to the future development of Haiti.
Wilfrid Gilles calls for a collective mobilization to restore education in Haiti, stressing that without immediate action, the country's youth, as well as the nation itself, may suffer irreparable consequences.
W.A.
