PORT-AU-PRINCE — The government of Haiti has officially launched a cash-transfer program valued at 2.5 billion gourdes, equivalent to approximately $17 million, aimed at assisting 140,000 parents of students as part of a broader initiative designed to facilitate the upcoming school year. Each eligible family will receive a payment of 15,000 gourdes, or about $116, in an effort to alleviate the financial burdens associated with education.
Details of the Aid Package
The cash assistance program is part of a comprehensive back-to-school response that includes additional support for vulnerable families. Announced on September 4, the initiative will also reach 30,000 families struggling financially and encompass the rehabilitation of 52 schools, the distribution of 8,000 pieces of school furniture, and the deployment of 10,750 police officers to enhance security during the school year.
This financial aid is set to assist parents whose children are enrolled in national, community, municipal, and presbyteral schools located in disadvantaged areas. The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) has collaborated with the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) to administer this program effectively, ensuring that the targeted beneficiaries are identified accurately.
Education Minister Vijonet Déméro inaugurated the academic year at Horatius Laventure High School in Delmas 75, Port-au-Prince, on September 7. This school year emphasizes inclusion, equal opportunity, and access to quality education. Back-to-school ceremonies were also held across the country’s ten departmental education directorates to underscore the government’s commitment to education.
Current conditions in Haiti are challenging for education due to ongoing violence, displacement, and poverty. UNICEF reports that over 1,600 schools were closed during the previous academic year, affecting about 240,000 students. In early June 2026, approximately 1.5 million people were internally displaced, including nearly half who were children. UNICEF has indicated that around 2.8 million children require humanitarian assistance.
In an effort to mitigate these obstacles, the government’s coordinated measures aim to provide both educational support and security for students and families alike. The deployment of police officers is part of a broader security initiative accompanying the school’s reopening, which will extend throughout the academic year.
Why It Matters
The government’s financial aid package and school rehabilitation efforts represent critical steps toward improving access to education in Haiti, where many families struggle to balance daily survival with educational expenses. As the new academic year unfolds, these measures aim to create a safer and more supportive environment for students, thereby promoting their right to education amidst ongoing challenges.
