At the initiative of the DGS (Direction du Génie Scolaire), a structure of the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), which sets the standards for construction of school buildings, an important meeting was held end of July, in the presence of representatives of the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES), Digicel, the construction firm CERAMEX, Faculty of Sciences of the State University of Haiti, Swiss Cooperation, UNICEF, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Office of monetization Programs Development Assistance (BMPAD), the Ministry of the Interior and Territorial Communities (MICT) and the Ministry of Public Works Transport and Communication (TPTC) in order to launch the platform for the management of school infrastructure.

Ensure the implementation and monitoring of the provisions adopted by the DGS, for a better regulation of buildings in the area of ​​school buildings were the main objectives of this meeting.

Models of construction, soil types, the problem of site identification, importance of the different actors involved, protocol of quality control, the role of international partners, school environment, regulatory tools, evaluation of existing buildings, validation procedures, maintenance of schools are the main points discussed at the meeting.

The strengthening of the DGS was also at the order of the day. Thus, was set up a Monitoring Unit and of Quality Control (USCQ), to which is associated this platform where are represented the three ministries (MENFP, MICT, MTPTC) concerned beside technical and financial partners.

According to Lazare Joseph accou, the Director of DGS from the Ministry of Education, "90% of the country's educational infrastructure, unfortunately did not meet the standards of construction of school buildings. Environmental quality, safety, durability and comfort are the four key considerations elements in any construction."

DGS has already developed standard plans establishing standards for construction of school built to which anyone wishing to build a school, must refer. In this perspective, fact sheets draft, including a set of rules to abide scrupulously by the applicant, will be completed and submitted to the DGS, before be trasnmitted to central authorities for approval.

The participants agreed on the fact that it exists in Haiti, too many schools that include too many students on sites too small.

The next working meeting will be held on September 24.

HL/ HaitiLibre