Education

Plan is working to get thousands of children back to school in Haiti

Prior to the earthquake, access to quality education was already a major challenge in Haiti, nonetheless Plan’s work has helped over 31,000 children return to school by providing school kits, re-building classrooms, training teachers and supplying equipment for schools.

Damage to schools

It is estimated that almost 5,000 schools were damaged or destroyed. Countless qualified teachers were killed, Ministry of Education buildings were destroyed and their staff killed or injured. The basics, such as school furniture, books, pens and paper were lost. Immediately after the earthquake, school was suspended.

Get back to school campaign

Just weeks after the earthquake, Plan’s education manager once again began attending regular meetings with the Education Ministry. Plan was consulted at the highest levels on how to get of the post-earthquake educational crisis and improve Haiti’s educational system for the long term. Plan staff helped craft messages for a ‘get back to school’ initiative approved by the Ministry of Education. Schools officially reopened on 5 April 2010, many in large, temporary structures that had been distributed during the preceding two months by agencies like Plan.

Over 1,000 children also participated in summer school and catch-up classes to prepare them for the beginning of the school year

Plan has constructed 257 semi- permanent classrooms in Haiti

School support

In the month following the earthquake Plan provided transitional classrooms in HousAll and sunshade tents for at least 50 schools and learning materials for more than 20,000 children in Croix-des-Bouquets, Jacmel and the surrounding areas. Plan also provided schools with appropriate hand-washing facilities and separate latrines for boys and girls.

We also created child-friendly spaces in the camps for families made homeless by the earthquake, which provide safe physical areas where Plan staff and volunteers help children to learn and relax through play.

In the time following Plan has worked to construct 257 semi-permanent classrooms for schools that were damaged or destroyed in the Jacmel and Croix-des-Bouquets programme areas. They are designed to last 15 years if properly maintained.

Plan trained local Haitian contractors (approximately 18 per site) to build one module of 2 classrooms in 10 days. Each classroom accommodates 40 to 50 pupils. The classrooms are spacious, well-ventilated and are designed to be earthquake and hurricane-resistant. When asked how they felt about the new classrooms, children said they felt safer and more comfortable, and found it easier to concentrate.

Plan have supplied teaching and learning materials; promoting school-based health and nutrition and establishing better water, sanitation and hygiene systems for schools.

Early childhood care and development

Plan is working to ensure that children are given the best start in life and are supported to develop to their full potential. This includes supporting the early childhood care and development (ECCD) needs of at least 5,000 pre-school children.

We are launching ECCD programmes for 3-5 year olds in Plan-supported camps and child-friendly spaces, and working with teachers, local partners and parent/community groups to provide training on how to care for young children.

Teacher training

To ensure child-friendly education, Plan is supporting the Ministry of Education and local partners to provide training for teachers, school directors and school inspectors.

Training is aimed at helping education personnel to:

address the psychosocial support needs of children who are emotionally distressed
address the emotional impact of the earthquake on themselves (many of whom lost family members, colleagues and friends) through orientation and training in self care and emotional first aid, thus helping cope with the grief and trauma
support children with disabilities
prevent and deal with gender-based violence
prepare for and reduce the risks of future disasters.

Plan has also ensured that children are included in decision-making bodies so that their voices are heard throughout the process of rebuilding Haiti’s education system.

Achievements to date

So far, Plan has helped over 31,000 children return to school by providing school kits, rebuilding classrooms, training teachers and supplying equipment for schools.

Plan has supported schools with 157 tents and transitional classrooms, new furniture, equipment, latrines and washrooms, helping over 10,000 children go to school.

Over 1,000 children also participated in summer school and catch-up classes to prepare them for the beginning of the school year.

More than 650 personnel have benefited from our work to provide training and psychosocial support to teachers, school directors and school inspectors.

ECCD programmes have been launched in 7 communities, benefiting 655 children under the age of 6.

In the south-east, Plan has also launched an ‘after school’ programme, benefiting more than 300 children.