Although Jean Beauvois Dorsonne, the Minister of National Education has confirmed the resumption of school activities for Monday, October 10, 2016, across the country less than a week after the passage of Hurricane Matthew https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-18877-haiti-flash-reopening-of-schools-monday.html , more than 100,000 children have been unable to resume the class because their schools had been damaged or destroyed or converted into temporary shelter.

"At least 100,000 children today will not experience the joy, safety and stimulation that being in a classroom brings," said Tuesday UNICEF’s Deputy Representative in Haiti, Jean Metenier "We need to get them back to learning as soon as possible. Hurricane Matthew took away their schools, homes and textbooks. It shouldn’t take away their sense of hope," he added.

According to preliminary national estimates, at least 300 public schools have been partially or entirely damaged in the country and many others are being used to shelter displaced families. Schools in Sud and Grande Anse departments will remain closed for at least another week.

UNICEF said it was working with its partners to help set up temporary learning spaces and provide school supplies.

According to the UN agency, the priorities are: renovate damaged schools; provide students and teachers with school supplies, school furniture and appropriate teaching materials and provide children with psychosocial support.

HL/ HaitiLibre