More than 600 representatives of the Haitian Protestant sector, primarily heads of academic and vocational schools, deans of faculties, and university rectors, participated on June 10, 2026, at the initiative of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), in a one-day meeting entirely dedicated to the process of recognizing and accrediting private educational institutions (schools, technical training centers, and universities).

The MENFP took advantage of the context of the 40th anniversary celebrations of the Protestant Federation of Haiti (FPH), the Federation of Protestant Schools of Haiti (FEPH), and the 210th anniversary of Haitian Protestantism to discuss with these religious and secular leaders the need to bring their educational institutions up to standard. This could guarantee the quality of the education provided and ensure better collaboration with public authorities and international cooperation partners.

"On behalf of the Head of Government, I feel a sense of national pride and a great honor to address this assembly of representatives from Protestant schools and universities in Haiti today," declared Ms. Axène Joseph, representing Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.

"The Government, through the Minister of National Education, has embarked on an ambitious educational reform to transform Haitian schools," Ms. Joseph stated, emphasizing the importance of this meeting.

For Vijonet Déméro, Minister of National Education, this discussion on the accreditation of schools, technical training centers, and higher education institutions was a response to the need to help Protestant denominations better understand the recognition and accreditation procedures.

According to Déméro "If we consider the country’s school system, it’s easy to see that Reformed churches manage many schools, with a presence in rural areas and disadvantaged urban neighborhoods [...] If the Protestant sector succeeds in modernizing, Haitian schools will be transformed. If it commits to change, the Republic will move forward," the Minister asserted. "[...] It is with this conviction that I want to present to you today the vision of the major transformations underway at the Ministry, projects on which we must absolutely work together,” Déméro explained, mentioning, among other things, curriculum reform and the single textbook, digital, civic, and financial education, mental health and student well-being, not to mention initiatives related to the construction of school infrastructure and the expansion of the school canteen program."

Raina Forbin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs, expressed her appreciation for this meeting, which highlighted education in the Protestant sector. Minister Forbin pledged her full support to the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) throughout the accreditation process, which unfolds in three stages: authorization to open, granting of the operating permit, and issuance of the accreditation certificate.

Calixte Fleuridor, President of the Protestant Federation of Haiti (FPH), and Christon St. Fort, Executive Director of the Federation of Protestant Schools of Haiti (FEPH), commended this initiative by the MENFP, while also advocating for the strengthening of public-private educational partnerships.

During the second part of the event, Walex Pierre, Director of the Directorate for Support to Private Education and Partnerships (DAEPP), presented the main points of the National Policy for the Accreditation of Private Schools (PONAEP).

Yves Villefranche of the National Institute for Vocational Training (INFP) and Jean Judson Joseph of the National Agency for Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANESRS) detailed the procedures for recognizing vocational schools and private universities, respectively.

Following this, Elysé Colagène, Director General of the National Education Fund (FNE), presented the school grant application process, while Lucson Philémon, Coordinator of the National School Canteen Program (PNCS), assisted by one of his technical directors, outlined the steps a school must take to join the program.

At the end of the day, the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), through the Directorate of Academic and Professional Development (DAEPP), issued over 300 operating permits to school officials in attendance.

HL/ HaitiLibre