Haiti plans to convert 101 public schools into teacher-support centers

Haiti plans to gradually convert 101 public schools into Fundamental Application Schools and Pedagogical Support Centers, a national initiative intended to strengthen teacher development and classroom instruction. The schools are distributed across the country’s 10 departmental education directorates, according to a circular issued by National Education Minister Vijonet Déméro.

The circular sets out an operational plan for the conversions and assigns responsibilities to education authorities. It says the initiative is intended to improve educators’ professional skills, reinforce teaching practices and improve learning for students. The circular’s departmental annexes contain the list of selected schools.

How the centers are expected to work

Each selected school is to have an attached Pedagogical Support Center, or CAP. The centers are intended to provide ongoing professional development and pedagogical guidance to local networks of about 50 associated fundamental schools. That arrangement would give each center a role beyond the school where it is based, linking it to other schools in its area.

Each center is expected to have two pedagogical advisers, but staffing depends on budget availability. The construction, rehabilitation and equipment of the centers will also proceed gradually and according to the Ministry’s architectural and pedagogical standards. The circular makes those infrastructure plans subject to available resources, rather than setting out a fixed schedule for all 101 schools.

What remains unclear

The announcement does not give a completion date for the conversions or an overall budget. It also does not specify when individual schools will receive their centers, facilities or advisers. The pace of implementation will depend in part on available resources, while the stated rollout is gradual.

The Ministry’s General Directorate is responsible for managing and monitoring the initiative through the Directorate of Fundamental Education and the EFA/CAP Coordination Unit. Those bodies are assigned strategic direction and technical oversight; the circular description does not provide further milestones for measuring progress or detail how schools will report on the support they provide.

This report draws on information from HaitiLibre.com.