About 40 years ago, Haiti was not a regular topic in international news. Indeed, in 1980, 80% of the 5.5 million Haitians lived in rural areas, without much possibility of demanding access to public services, in particular schools, hospitals or justice.

In 2024, Haiti is a nation of 12 million, 60% of whom reside in cities and slums without effective public services. With less than 10,000 police officers (1 per 1,200 inhabitants) and without a real armed force, Haiti has seen its security situation deteriorate in recent years.

The rise in the urban population, which is more informed and politicized, increases the demand and pressure for basic social services, greater citizen participation, and better living conditions.

An untapped human capital

The country's inability to benefit from the demographic dividend is the most crucial element. 70% of the population is under 35 years old but the youth unemployment rate is around 40%. This is not a burden but a potential waiting to be harnessed.

Unfortunately, what should have been an asset has turned into a demographic bomb, not because the country is overpopulated, but because there are not enough jobs and qualified workers with skills needed for the reality of the 21^st century.

Today, millions of young people have no real qualifications and have not received quality education capable of transmitting the values of peace and training. A generation of potential entrepreneurs are becoming vulnerable. They constitute the primary source of recruitment for armed gangs, which terrorize the population and create insecurity in the country.

This waste of human capital has been one of the primary sources of instability over the last 50 years. It also makes it difficult for the country’s economy to grow, which would ensure the social progress that Haiti needs.

In the middle of this political and institutional crisis, with high vulnerability to natural disasters and gang violence, the economy contracted for five consecutive years and the Haitian education system is reeling from the consequences of COVID-19 and the desertion of qualified teachers.

Even though the net school enrollment rate has increased significantly to 90% over the last 25 years, more than 30% of students drop out after the first 6 years of primary school, and only 10% complete secondary school.

The education sector must be bolstered to put the country back on track

Today, Haiti is trying to keep millions of young people in school, but they drop out before having real qualifications, without learning the value of peace, without acquiring the skills to become a generation of entrepreneurs.

The new 10-year education sector plan aims to transform the education system through a new curriculum that limits school failure and dropouts.

The same goes for a new compulsory “economics and entrepreneurship” subject that aims to train a new generation with life skills and professions, making them less vulnerable to recruitment by armed gangs.

Showing resilience in the face of crisis

The crises affecting Haiti are not just undermining the education of millions of children, they are also threatening the future of an entire generation. It is time to act, make up for lost school days, and leave no children behind to give them hope for a better future.

Despite the difficulties, we were able to complete the last two school years thanks to remedial learning programs, through radio, television, and offline and online platforms.

This year, the situation is extremely difficult in the Port-au-Prince area, where nearly 4,000 schools are closed and which will most likely finish the school year later than the rest of the country once the security situation improves.

In addition, thanks to the support of several partners, including GPE, USAID, UNESCO, IDB, WB, UNICEF, ECW, EU, the Ministry of Education has developed and distributed thousands of books in mother tongue (Haitian creole) to strengthen reading and mathematics skills and avoid the high rate of failure and school dropouts.

Catalytic support from GPE

As the chair of the Finance and risk Committee of GPE, I am proud to be part of a unique, multi-stakeholder partnership with a clear mission: to deliver quality education so that every girl and boy can have hope, opportunity and agency.

GPE provides grant funding to up to 90 partner countries, supporting their education priorities. It also leverages additional resources from other partners to increase funding levels and ensure alignment with these priorities.

While national budgets remain the primary source of education funding, partner countries often struggle to cover essentials such as teacher training, salaries, books and administrative costs. This is where GPE’s support becomes crucial.

Investments from partners like GPE act as catalytic capital to mobilize even more education financing through proven innovative mechanisms like the GPE Multiplier, while also ensuring a focus on improving the volume, equity and efficiency of domestic funding.

Our reliance on GPE commitments, particularly for girls’ education, is not just about recovering from lost school days. It’s about regaining hope for a better future through a transformed education system that fosters the values of a more inclusive, peaceful, and healthier world.

Today, it’s not just about building classrooms, but it’s about providing quality education that can truly promote peace and prosperity.

Through the challenges, Haiti is trying to be a leader in prioritizing education. By highlighting our experience and the transformative role education plays in the country, we hope to give voice to the fundamental role of radical inclusion and the power of education to build a more peaceful future.

Haiti stands as a testament to human resilience.