Approximately 150 participants from various educational backgrounds approved the document National Policy on Non-Formal Education, during a workshop held at the Montana Hotel on March 21, Recall that Non-Formal Education consists of an addition, an alternative and/or a complement to formal education in the lifelong learning process of people.

Apart from some recommendations to be taken into account, the document was considered admissible and validated by the actors, representatives of public and non-public institutions, universities, NGOs, socio-professional associations and technical and financial partners.

A key step has just been taken for the implementation of the policy document that will regulate and guide actions in the field of non-formal education across the country. This is a great first that allows Haiti to finally have a guide document, which specifies, among other things, the vision, mission and objectives of non-formal education, stressed Pierre Josué Agénor Cadet the Minister of National Education, who recalled that it was the culmination of a long process started for 11 years with periods of gestation

In his intervention, Meniol Jeune, the Director General of the Ministry of National Education, who was chairing the opening ceremony of the Validation Workshop, declared "it was time to have this public policy document which, in the light of the amended Haitian Constitution, takes a stand in favor of universal access to education, without discrimination. This document, which is aligned with several standard-setting instruments, is in perfect harmony with international commitments, including that of Incheon".

For Maria Luisa Fornara, UNICEF Representative in Haiti, "this new Education Policy will continue efforts to create opportunities for those whose rights and educational needs are still unmet and for whom the formal system no longer represents or can not represent a solution (over-aged, children with special needs, etc..."

Claude Akpabie, Representative of the UNESCO Office in Haiti believes that "the Ministry was right in implementing this national policy of non-formal education. This is a laudable approach that deserves to be applauded" promising the support of his institution in efforts to strengthen the education sector in Haiti.

HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre