Two new schools inaugurated in southern Haïti, expanding access to safe and inclusive learning environments

By Unicef Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haïti, 8 April 2026 – The Government of Haïti, in partnership with UNICEF and support of Canada, inaugurated on 7 and 8 April two newly constructed national schools in the Great South, marking a significant step towards strengthening access to quality education for children in Haïti.

The inauguration of the Ducis national school in Torbeck in the South and the Plaisance national school in Nippes takes place against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Haïti, where thousands of children continue to face barriers to education due to insecurity, displacement, and poverty.

These constructions are part of a broader effort to restore the right to education across Haïti. The national schools of Ducis and Plaisance are among seven newly constructed schools in southern Haïti in response to the August 2021 earthquake, with finalization expected by June 2026.

Both schools include nine classrooms for primary and lower secondary levels, two classrooms for preschool, a school canteen, an administrative block, separated toilets for girls and boys, and access to solar energy.

With these two new additions, UNICEF will have supported the construction of 19 schools across four departments in the Great South since 2023.

Speaking during the inaugurations, Vijonet Déméro, Minister of "Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training, said : “This is a day of hope for the children who will now flourish in a more appropriate setting that meets school engineering standards, within a healthier environment better suited to learning. It is also a new day for the teachers, who will be better equipped to provide improved pedagogical support to the students of these two schools. The reconstruction of this school is the expression of a fruitful partnership between the Government of Haïti, UNICEF, and our partners; it serves to further consolidate the educational infrastructure in the Great South.”

For his part, André François-Giroux, the Canadian Ambassador to Haïti, said: « We want to give the community the infrastructure it needs for its future, particularly through education because schools represent the future of the country”, addressing the children he added: “Whatever path you choose, dear students, these are among the most important years of your lives, make the most of them. Education will not only open every door for you, but it will also help you become better parents and active members of your community”.

“These inaugurations represent far more than the opening of new school buildings,” said Geeta Narayan, the UNICEF Representative in Haïti. “Not only do they bring renewed hope to communities where access to safe and adequate learning environments remains limited, but they reflect a shared commitment to ensuring that every child can learn, grow, and build a future in a safe and dignified environment.”

These constructions were made possible through close collaboration between the Government of Haïti, through the Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (MENFP), and local authorities. UNICEF expresses its gratitude to the Government of Japan, the Carlos Slim Foundation and the Government of Canada, the main contributor to the Multi-Partner Trust Fund, as well as to other partners including Brazil and Guyana, for their sustained support to education in Haïti.

Par Unicef Haïti

Media contact: 

Salwa Moussa

Chief of Communication and Advocacy

Tel: +509 46971003

E-mail: samoussa@unicef.org