On Friday, July 31, 2026, during a working session with stakeholders in the education system, Minister of National Education Vijonet Déméro stated in his opening remarks, "We want to ensure a safe and inclusive start to the school year across the entire country by coordinating our resources, efforts, and strengths. The success of the 2026-2027 academic year is a collective responsibility that requires the unwavering commitment of the State, the continued support of our partners, the trust of our friends, and the collaboration of textbook publishers."

Minister Déméro took the opportunity to confirm September 7, 2026, as the official start date for the 2026-2027 school year.

He outlined a school year structured around the Ministry's priority projects, emphasizing that "[...] the education of children is a great responsibility. This is the foundation for the nation's reconstruction [...] Our ambition is not limited to opening the school doors. It aims to fundamentally transform what happens inside the classrooms," the Minister declared before making a plea for civic values ​​in society.

Furthermore, he reiterated the need to transform the Haitian school system, which, he emphasized, must necessarily involve implementing the Curriculum Framework, continuing to update the programs, and integrating digital technology into learning.

During his speech, Déméro called on technical and financial partners, government colleagues, to maintain and strengthen the synergy of resources; Ministry staff to maintain a strong field presence, exemplary management, and a constant commitment to quality within the system; and unions to prioritize the best interests of children above all else. I extend a fraternal hand to the unions to build a constructive social dialogue for the sole benefit of our children.

"Let's join forces. Let us silence our divisions and place the future of our children in Haiti above all other considerations,” concluded the Minister, who reiterated the State’s full solidarity with the parents.

Also speaking at the opening of this day of discussions, Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, the Minister of the Interior, gave assurances that school spaces occupied by internally displaced persons would be vacated. He also elaborated on the Municipal Education Commission : "The establishment of this Commission is a step in the right direction, since the Constitution makes the Ministries of National Education and local authorities co-managers of education. Therefore, I ask all the elected officials of the Republic to wholeheartedly embrace this issue."

During the panels, the participants—technical directors from the Ministry and representatives of national and international cooperation partners—discussed, among other things, curriculum reform, teacher training, the production and distribution of textbooks, the construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, the distribution of furniture, school supplies, and uniforms, direct financial assistance to families, school canteens, the implementation of solar energy and internet systems in schools, and the creation of digital campuses in high schools and Departmental Public Universities (UPDs).

Overall, the various interventions planned for the 2026-2027 academic year must comply with the roadmap developed for the start of the school year, which comprises four pillars: 1. Infrastructure, logistics, and security; 2. Social support and assistance to families; 3. Curriculum reform, digital technology, and training; and 4. Governance, social dialogue, and communication.

This event, held in Pétion-ville, brought together Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of the Interior; Adelson Lorgeat, Secretary of State for Literacy; Osny Jean Marie, Director General of the Ministry; Stéphanie Paultre, Director General of the National Office for Partnership in Education (ONAPE); Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin, Director General of the Institute for Social Welfare and Research (IBESR); Marie-Christine Stephenson, Executive Secretary of the Interministerial Committee for Territorial Planning (CIAT); Inspectors General and senior officials from the Ministry; leaders of several teachers' unions; and representatives of numerous national and international institutions involved in education in Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre