On Saturday, October 31, 2026, the State University of Haiti (UEH) and Elms College (Massachusetts, USA) with financial support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation officially launched a continuing education program for Haitian teachers in primary and secondary schools.

Part of an effort to strengthen professional skills and improve the quality of education in Haiti, this initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding signed between the UEH and Elms College on February 17, 2026 (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46891-haiti-usa-internationalization-of-the-ueh.html). Hosted at the "École Normale Supérieure" (ENS), the program which is welcoming its first cohort of participants aims to provide these professionals with opportunities for further development, tailored to the realities of the Haitian educational system.

In his address, Dr. Dieuseul Prédélus, Rector of the UEH, drew attention to the deeply concerning academic level of students entering higher education in Haiti today. In his view, improving the quality of university-level education requires a substantial commitment to primary and secondary schooling. The Rector urged the initial participants to engage fully, with rigor, curiosity, and confidence—in this training, so that it may yield positive outcomes for their own professional performance, their students' learning, and the development of the country as a whole. For his part, Dr. Harry Dumay, President of Elms College, emphasized that combining these efforts in teacher training is, above all, an investment in the future of the children and the country.

Addressing the participants of the first cohort specifically, he encouraged them to take full advantage of this opportunity, to demonstrate diligence and commitment throughout the training cycle, and, most importantly, to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire to the benefit of their students.

Professor Marie Chantal Dumay, the project director at the UEH, provided an overview of the development process and the objectives of the training program. The goal is not only to strengthen teachers' skills but also to foster a genuine culture of continuous professional development within the Haitian educational landscape. The program offers a learning framework that takes into account the professional constraints and daily realities faced by the participants.

Meanwhile, Dr. Joyce Hampton, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Elms College, reaffirmed her institution’s commitment to this partnership. Drawing on her own experience in teacher training, she expressed a desire to bolster education in Haiti by making her expertise available to the system.

Dr. Alvares Louis, Co-director of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) and a member of the program’s steering committee, commended those behind this initiative, which reinforces the ENS’s commitment to the professional development of stakeholders within the educational system.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Ms. Vixamar urged her colleagues to make the most of this training. She encouraged them to share their experiences and to dare to challenge existing pedagogical practices, so that their students might better benefit from their newly acquired skills.

This cohort consists of 64 teachers, selected from a total of 371 applicants from the West Department. The program is set to expand gradually to the country’s other departments. Spanning one year and totaling 15 credits, it is structured around five courses, jointly designed by the academic teams of the two participating universities. The courses will be delivered online via a dedicated platform. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate issued by the UEH and Elms College, and the credits earned will be recognized in both Haiti and the United States.

HL/ HaitiLibre