Education
ServeHAITI's Education Committee strives to improve access to quality education for
the community of Grand-Bois. We work in solidarity with the educators and community
leaders to ensure all efforts are culturally appropriate, responsive
to the needs of the educators and community, relevant to economic development,
and guided by evidence-based measures.
Although Haitians place a high value on education, few can afford to send their children
to school. While public education is free in Haiti, the cost is still quite high for
Haitian families who must pay for uniforms, textbooks, and supplies. Primary school
enrollment is dropping due to economic factors. Sixty percent of rural households suffer
from chronic food insecurity, and food must come before education. Thus, education
remains a key obstacle to economic and social advancement in Haiti.
Furthermore, due to a weak state provision of education services, public education
is less common, with private and parochial schools accounting for about 90% of primary
schools. Tuition for these private school students comes largely from donations and/or sponsoring a student.
It is estimated that less than 25% of children finish the 5th grade. Secondary
education (grades 7-14) is not available in most rural areas of Haiti.
ServeHAITI recognizes that improving education will involve multiple initiatives
conducted over many years. We are working with the Grand-Bois community to improve
education at the preschool, primary, secondary, and vocational levels. Efforts to date
include teacher training and making small enhancements to the primary school building.
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