Ei-iE

In a context marked by insecurity, precariousness, and political instability, Haitian education unions are stepping up their initiatives in defence of inclusive, high-quality public education. First-hand accounts and field studies bear witness to their considerable mobilisation efforts driven by the Go Public! Fund Education campaign.

A country in the grip of armed gangs, schools affected

“In terms of security, the situation has not changed much. The national roads are still under the control of armed gangs,” says Hubermane Clermont, General Secretary of FENATEC (National Federation of Education and Culture Workers). Despite the official resumption of school activities on 1 October, many schools have had to relocate and are operating in precarious conditions that fall far short of the required standards, exposing pupils and teachers to new risks. “We are trying to adapt, but these relocations imposed by the current situation involve major difficulties,” he continues.

Concern about the country’s political future

Uncertainty reigns as the country approaches a crucial political juncture, with elections due to be held under the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council to hand over power to a new government on 7 February 2026, when the Council’s term expires. “We wonder whether this government will really be able to hold elections, given that the security situation is the same, if not worse,” says Kenson Delice, coordinator of the UNNOEH (National Union of Teachers and Education Workers of Haiti). “Is another transition going to replace this transition? The situation is extremely worrying.” He insists on the need to mobilise: “We must raise awareness in all countries about the need for the Haitian state to invest more in the public education sector.”

Social dialogue: limited progress

Although a commission has been set up to address teachers’ demands, concrete results are proving slow to materialise. “In terms of follow-up, practically nothing concrete has been done yet,” says Lourdes Edith Joseph, special advisor to the executive board of Haiti’s national confederation of education workers, the CNEH. “Teachers in Grand’Anse have expressed their discontent because the delays in taking action are replicated at the level of institutions and public schools in this department. To date, the Ministry has not yet called on the unions to open a dialogue on the budget and what needs to be done in the education sector.”

Go Public! Fund Education: inform, mobilise, speak out

Given the urgent need for action, the Go Public! Fund Education campaign stands out as a powerful lever for mobilisation. “We have done a very good job of communicating with the education community and Haitian society about the importance of the campaign,” says Kenson Delice. From advertisements and press conferences to social media campaigns, the unions are ramping up their efforts to raise awareness and rally support for public education. “We’ve had a lot of coverage on these issues and, in that respect, we think it’s been a success,” he adds. For Lourdes Edith Joseph the campaign has had a multiplier effect: “Many of our affiliates have been able to hold press conferences about the campaign. This has helped to mobilise our members.”

Structural challenges: the cost of schooling and access to education

The education unionists point out that around 90 per cent of pupils attend private schools, with the cost of education borne by families, which is a major obstacle to schooling. “Many school-age children are not enrolled precisely because of the cost of education,” says Hubermane Clermont, adding that “the state could not only intervene by relieving parents of the financial burden, but also by increasing the number of schools available. This would make education more accessible to a greater number of children.”

He also emphasises that “teachers are still being left hanging, waiting to see concrete measures implemented in response to their demands”.

Continued mobilisation and pressure on the authorities

The unions intend to keep up the pressure. Rallies across the country, meetings with the authorities, local relays: education workers are continuing to mobilise despite the logistical and security challenges. As Lourdes Edith Joseph explains, “we intend to keep going and step up the campaign, putting pressure on the government to meet with leaders and discuss our demands.” Hubermane Clermont, for his part, insists: “We are going to mobilise departmental representatives to relay the campaign. All we can do is raise awareness and mobilise people, but the power to make decisions remains in the hands of the authorities.”

Education, a concern for society as a whole

In a country where public schooling accounts for only 17% of the education sector, the battle for quality education is set to be long and difficult. But the determination of the unions and the mobilisation of civil society provide hope of change. As Lourdes Edith Joseph summarises: “School is not just a concern for trade unions or the teaching profession, but for society as a whole.” Hubermane Clermont stresses: “We must convince the authorities of the need to invest more in education.”

The mobilisation led by Haiti’s trade unions serves as a reminder that education is the foundation of democracy and the bedrock for the future. Public education, which is currently under threat, must once again become a national priority, driven by the Go Public! Fund Education campaign.