While the opening of classes is scheduled for Monday, September 9 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28379-haiti-flash-school-calendar-2019-2020-all-dates.html Georges Wilbert Franck, coordinator of the National Union of Normans and Educators of Haiti (UNNOEH), predicted on a radio of the capital that the beginning of the academic year "will be a disaster", because of the serious economic situation and the chronic and widespread insecurity.

He also lamented the lack of psychosocial support for disadvantaged schoolchildren, such as Cité Soleil, located at the north exit of the capital, Carrefour Feuilles (south-east) and Bicentenaire (south).

Thérèse Magalie Georges, a member of the National Confederation of Educators of Haiti, predicted that it would be "very difficult for parents" this year, according to the trade unionist, the State has ignored this fundamental right, while 80% of schools belong to the private sector, making it a commercial company "able to raise tuition fees as you see fit."

Recall that last week 4 school principals (Brother Valmir Dabel of Saint-Louis de Gonzague, Natacha Dorcé of Bird College, Myriam Dorélien of the Daughters of Mary and Gina Lassègue of the Christian Academy) were convened by the Government Commissioner Paul Éronce Villard and are expected at the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Prince on Friday, August 23, 2019 to respond to complaints from parents who accuse them of excessive increases in school fees.

"Some teachers did not receive their checks from July 2019 to the third week of August 2019," she lamented, adding that there was still no date to receive them from the current month.

HL/ HaitiLibre