This Monday, October 1st, 2024, the start of the school year, throughout the country, was rather modest, despite the police force, Traffic Police officers, patrols by EduPol officers and public security brigadiers, very few students returned to school (especially those in public schools, many of which are occupied by displaced persons or bandits).

While the President of the Transitional Council, Edgard Leblanc Fils, officially launched the start of the school year in Cayes and inaugurated the Melonnière National School in the commune of Chantal and in Les Cayes the Paulo Freire Technical and Vocational Training Center financed by Brazil, the Prime Minister, Garry Conille visited the Lycée des Jeunes Filles, in Chemin des Dalles, in downtown Port-au-Prince.

The Head of Government took the opportunity to recall the various support and social benefits granted to parents, students and in particular to civil servants, as part of the reopening of classes this year.

"Education and good jobs for young people are one of the Government's priorities to create hope and fight insecurity. The Ministry of Education has the largest budget for the year 2024-2025. Its budget has increased by 24% [42 billion Gourdes] to recruit and train more young teachers, distribute more books, strengthen school canteens, etc... [...] We will not be satisfied until all children have the same chance to go to school from the first day, throughout the country," declared Prime Minister Conille, detailing some of the measures that the Government has adopted to support parents, students and teachers :

- 14th month for all civil servants on the occasion of the start of the school year;

- 1 million students will receive a hot meal every day (70% local products);

- 10,000 teachers will be trained in the new compulsory subjects in the secondary 4 program (Civic education, artistic education, sports, and technology)

- 200,000 parents will receive support of 20,000 Gourdes each;

- 2 million students will receive the unique book in Creole for free

- 15 new schools inaugurated.

But, Garry Conille, says he is concerned about the situation of students whose schools are still occupied by displaced people and victims of the exactions of criminal gangs…

"I have a special thought for the children who will not be able to go to school, at the beginning of this school year because they are being held hostage by criminal gangs. I want to take this opportunity to tell his children and their parents that the Government that I lead remains in solidarity with their situation and promises to do everything possible to create the material and environmental conditions to allow them to have access to the bread of education."

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre