Why Education is the Focal Point in Turning the Tide for Haiti?

Why Education Matters?

We pulled our answer from a real-life story from one of YES’s young adults, Jean Paul (JP), who wrote an essay in 2020 to be able to receive a scholarship to help pay for his university. 

Here is an overview of his essay:

• Education Access and Challenges: Many children cannot attend school due to severe economic hardships. Most families are large, with an average of eight children, and many lack sufficient parental support. Family living conditions are dire, often confined to small spaces without basic amenities like running water or electricity. As a result, children from impoverished families often start school later and face significant educational barriers.

• Orphanages and Education: In 2016, there were around 760 orphanages in Haiti, housing children whose families cannot afford to support them. Despite the education opportunities provided by these orphanages, children often face an abrupt end to their education at 18 years old, regardless of their academic progress. This leads to a high dropout rate and limited opportunities for higher education.

• Government Response: The Haitian government’s increasing educational costs and lack of reform contribute to the stagnation of educational progress.

• System Improvements: The Haitian education system focuses heavily on memorization rather than comprehension and teamwork. This lack of emphasis on collaborative skills and practical application of knowledge impairs students' ability to contribute effectively to society and hampers overall national development. Enhancing teamwork and comprehension in schools could foster better leadership and improve Haiti's socioeconomic conditions.

  
  

We pulled our answer above from a real-life story from one of YES’s young adult, Jean Paul (JP), who wrote an essay in 2020 to be able to receive a scholarship for his university. Here is part of his essay:

In Haiti, it is estimated that there are about 240,000 kids who cannot go to school. I was one of those kids, watching from the shadows while my older brother went to school, and everyone sacrificed to make that possible. I would like to give you a little background about my country. In one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, school is not free. Most families have many children. The average family has eight children, and many do not have even one parent who is able to provide for them. In addition, family units often include extra family members such as aunts, uncles, and grandparents living in the same small space. This space is often only two small rooms, no bathroom or kitchen. As a result, cooking is done outside over an open fire made of coal. There is no running water and electricity is very limited or for some families, nonexistent. They live day to day on pennies reserved for the very basic necessities of life, such as food and water. These items must be purchased from the street markets daily and carried home on top of the head.

My mother put me in an orphanage at the age of eleven because she could not provide for her three children by herself. This is a very common desperate response by Haitian parents when they feel there is no other way for the whole family to survive. In 2016, there were around 760 orphanages in Haiti. At least 80% of these children have one or more living family member who wants them but can’t afford them. These families also have no access to health care, education, or social services in the community to help them cope with the poverty they face. While most orphanages give kids the opportunity for education, the opportunity usually only lasts until the kids reach 18 years of age. Whether a child comes from an orphanage or simply comes from a poor family, it is not uncommon for children to start school at an older age. This means they start out way behind children whose families can afford to send them at the appropriate age. Another disadvantage that magnifies the problems are that it does not matter what grade the kids are in when they turn 18 years old, the orphanage still kicks them out. Since they are no longer a part of the orphanage and their family does not have money, the fund for school normally runs out. A large majority never finish their education. In a 2013 study complied by the World Bank, 50 percent of children in Haiti did not attend school. Approximately 30% of children attending primary school did not make it to the third grade and those that did abandoned school before the sixth grade. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stated in 2015 that only 29 percent of Haitians attend secondary school or high school. These are the harsh reality and statistics of my home country. When my mom decided to send me to the orphanage, I was 11 years old but started school in the 1st grade. In my situation, that gave me 7 years to complete 12 years of school as Haiti has a total of 14 years of school rather than 12 as they do in America. As mentioned earlier, very few kids start school at the appropriate age because of economic barriers therefore even fewer kids complete their basic education in primary school or can take their final exam in the 14th grade that would allow them to attend college. The barriers are even greater for a college education.

The lack of education generation after generation keeps my country from being able to pull itself out of darkness. The average educational level in my country is 6th grade including many of the elected government officials. The government is not doing anything to change the current situation. Instead, they are increasing educational costs. I know we cannot increase the quality of life in my country without increasing the educational level of those in leadership and within my Haitian people. In some published papers by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the studies show that just getting an education decreases poverty. According to the study conducted in 2015, if all the adults in the study received two or more years of schooling or completed secondary school, it would have lifted nearly 60 million people out of poverty. It also showed that having universal access to primary and secondary education is required to decrease poverty rates. When I think about kids who live on the streets or in a family facing severe poverty, it makes me impatient and frustrated. I was in the same spot as those kids for many years of my life and I know how the lack of education impacts every part of their lives.

Two additional keys that I believe are missing in the Haiti school system are learning comprehension and teamwork within the classroom. The Haitian schools hardly ever mention or use teamwork, collaborative work or learning comprehension. The school system is mostly about memorization. The students know how to memorize very well; however, they do not know how to take the information that they have learned and apply it. During my years in Haitian schools, very rarely did we do in-class or outside group projects and/or read information and then must use that information to make or build something. It is everyone for themselves. This is especially true for the governmental leaders in Haiti. They don’t realize that learning about the true meaning of teamwork will help them effectively lead the workforce. Schools in Haiti should not only focus on math, science, reading and the basics but also on the other aspects of learning that will help improve our whole country. To read more of his article please see: https://www.yeshaititeens.com/single-post/2020/04/18/my-haitian-and-american-stories-merge-to-nurture-god-s-plan-for-my-life

The Current State of Education in Haiti:

UNICEF and the World Bank report that as of October 2023, it is estimated that around 60% of children in Haiti do not have access to education.

According to USAID, only 52.98% of children in Haiti complete primary school (up to 9th grade). The completion rate drops significantly in secondary school, where only 18% finish. In terms of higher education, just 1.05% of students enroll, and only 4.53% manage to complete their degrees.

These statistics reveal a troubling reality. In Haiti, education is not a basic right available to everyone; rather, it is a privilege reserved for a select few. The absence of widespread education continues the cycle of poverty and hinders the country's potential for growth and development.

Have you ever thought about why Haiti keeps facing problems such as poverty, healthcare, and economic growth?

Haiti's problems stem not only from political corruption but also from a lack of quality education. Despite facing natural disasters, political turmoil, and economic struggles, the failing education system is a major barrier to progress. Education is crucial for Haiti's advancement.

The Power of Education:

The power of education in Haiti is significant and multifaceted, offering potential benefits that can transform individuals and communities. Here are some key aspects of its impact: Economic Development, Improved Health Outcomes, Social Stability, Empowerment, Civic Participation, and Technological Advancement.

How can YOU help?

YES! is dedicated to help with education and make a positive change in Haiti. However, we cannot achieve this without your support. Together, we can turn this vision into reality. Please consider giving to YES! today to help the next generation of Haiti.

Thank you!