The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) just approved a new donation of 24 million US dollars to expand access to education, improve the quality of education and strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education in Haiti. This is the fourth of five contributions in support of the 2010-2015 Operational Plan, which establishes the educational goals of Haiti

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti destroyed more than 4,000 schools and threw thousands of students out of the educational system. Nevertheless, with the support of the IDB and the rest of the international community, Haiti has succeeded in increasing access to education at all levels, and today 88% of all its children aged six to 12 are enrolled in school, compared to 50% in 2006.

Many challenges remain, however, in the quality and access to education. For example, only one in four students pass the 12th grade exam, showing the deficiencies of the educational system.

The IDB donation will go toward replacing 5 public schools, which will benefit more than 4,000 children from preschool to ninth grade, and will finance the enrollments of approximately 32,000 children in private schools.

Part of the funds will go toward the training and accreditation of primary school teachers and the training of preschool teachers. They also will finance the development of a pilot effort to implement a new Early Childhood Development Program in 150 preschool centers.

The IDB coordinates this donation with contributions from other international donors to improve the quality of education in the Caribbean Country.

HL/ HaitiLibre