Monday, at a press conference meeting, following the call for the resumption of classes in public schools, launched last Thursday, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13013-haiti-education-the-ministry-calls-for-the-resumption-of-classes-in-all-public-schools.html followed by an open letter addressed by Nesmy Manigat, the Minister of Education, to the heads of teacher unions on strike https://www.haitilibre.com/article-13035-haiti-education-lettre-ouverte-du-ministre-manigat-aux-responsables-des-syndicats-d-enseignants.html (in french) Minister, in the presence of all representatives of the striking teachers' unions and observers from UNESCO, the International Labour Office (ILO) and representatives of associations of parents, asked the union leaders to observe a truce to put an end to their strike, which has already cost the students of some public schools, up to 20 school days this year.

The minister deplored the fact that "the State is obliged to pay the entire month of January to teachers who have never set foot in the classroom [...]" warning the union sectors that "The State will not be able to pay any teacher in February if they do not work as students lose school days [...]"

The Minister states that in agreement with the President Martelly and Prime Minister, Paul, the commitment to find 4.5 billion gourdes additional to meet the claims was decided "We will open the folder on the National Fund for Education. If the fund was voted in Parliament, it would allow us to go faster..."

The unionists took note of the truce request and promised to give an answer after consulting their base, tomorrow (Tuesday) or later Wednesday to indicate whether they end their strike or not,

The Manigat Minister appealed to the conscience of the strikers and continues to advocate for the involvement of the whole society in educational debates, hoping that the progress already made on behalf of children, do not lose because of personal strikes and/or political, that have nothing to do with improving the status of teachers.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/article-13035-haiti-education-lettre-ouverte-du-ministre-manigat-aux-responsables-des-syndicats-d-enseignants.html (in french)

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13013-haiti-education-the-ministry-calls-for-the-resumption-of-classes-in-all-public-schools.html

HL/ HaitiLibre