Haiti's Children Return to School

Plan has been working closely with communities in Haiti to ensure that children can return to school.

Plan has recently installed sunshade tents and temporary structures in two primary schools in the Jacmel region. When materials arrive, the tents will be replaced one at a time with transitional structures. Latrines are also being built, with separate toilets for teachers and students.

Plan’s presence has also increased employment opportunities. The school has hired young people from the community to prepare the siding for the sunshade tents.  The woven panels are made from palm leaves.

Helping children to return to school is not as simple as it may at first seem. Some of the challenges include:

• A need for temporary schools where school buildings have been destroyed or damaged.
• Helping parents and children to overcome fears and anxieties and encouraging them to send their children back to school.
• Encouraging teachers to return to work, including providing the psychosocial support they need as well as training on how to handle the psychosocial needs of their students.
• What to do about the camps that are settled on school grounds.
• How to pay teachers’ salaries in light of the increased economic struggles.

Plan is committed to helping as many of Haiti’s children as possible return to school.

Read our latest blog about re-opening Haiti's schools.