On 18th November the National Confederation of Teachers in Haiti (CNEH), affiliated to Education International, in collaboration with other teachers' unions in the country, launched a major campaign for “quality state education for both boys and girls.”
The campaign, which grew out of a decision taken at the 8th Congress of the CNEH in early 2011, will be organized in a country where 80% of schools belong to the private sector.
The General Secretary of the CNEH and Policy Coordinator for the Campaign, Ms Lourdes Delouis Edith Joseph, announced: "The Teachers' unions CNEH, FENATEC, CONEH, UNOH and GIEL are moving towards providing meaningful state education for both sexes from pre-school to university. Education is a public service and is therefore the state’s responsibility. "
She also reminded us that "education must form citizens who can think critically and take responsibility for serving the common good.”
The campaign is also supported by a resolution adopted at EI’s 6th World Congress held in Cape Town in July 2011.
In her message of solidarity to the CNEH , Virginia Albert, The Regional Coordinator for EI’s North America-Caribbean Region , wrote: "Education is the key which opens the door to your people’s future and therefore every child and every human being in Haiti should have access to quality education that is free. I am confident that the government of Haiti will make a lasting commitment to investing in the future of its people. "
She also highlighted that the "CNEH is now taking the right decision on behalf of past, present and future generations in Haiti. There is no turning back. Victory is on your side, even as the whole world watches. "
Ms. Albert added: "Today a new chapter in the history of the people of Haiti is beginning. The Union is calling on all its troops to declare war on poverty, illiteracy, poor health, unemployment and all the other social ills in society. With highly educated people, Haiti will be a changed society.”
The aims of the campaign are manifold. First of all, it is calling on the state to guarantee and be responsible for quality state education for everyone. Secondly, it is aiming to mobilize and involve Haitian society and her educational partners in seeking the best solutions to ensure free quality education in Haiti.
The Teachers' unions also want the campaign to promote the teaching profession so that more and more young people might join the profession. With this in mind they are planning national recruitment and training.
The campaign will take place over three years and will include numerous meetings to raise awareness with schools, authorities, parents’ associations, NGOs and the media, so that all will be motivated to achieve the goals of Education for All.
The campaign will be launched this Friday, November 18th, a symbolic date for the Haitian people. It was actually on November 18, 1803 that Haiti became the first free black state in the world after two centuries of struggle against slavery.
Education International’s letter of support for the campaign in Haiti is available here for download.