Education conditions vary widely in Haiti and consequently, education quality varies as well.  Conditions with significant impact on the population and circumstances effecting education are as follow:

  • 75% of the population earn less than $2 / day and consequently are unable to feed their families
  • 1/3 of all adults are illiterate
  • 1/3 of children who attended school reach 5th grade
  • 4% reach 9th grade
  • it is worse in rural areas - 75% - no schools
  • 92 % of schools are private - largely unregulated
  • 42 % of primary school teachers have NO professional training
  • 56% of schools in operate in structures NOT designed for education (houses and churches)
  • 65% of schools operate without any running water 

There are many educational initiatives (schools, churches, orphanages, universities) and the Ministry of Education is faced with a monumental task in identifying and gathering the actors to transition to a system that aligns with the national education strategy.  Prior to the 2010 earthquake, the previous Haitian administration had undertaken a comprehensive education project to establish strategic objectives and then follow through with an operational plan.  The strategic plan was finalized in early 2011 and the operational plan is complete.   At this time, few organizations involved in Haitian education are aware of the Ministry of Education (MOE) objectives and the status quo prevails.  We have spent considerable time understanding the realities of rural and urban education and the plans that Haitians have developed to transform the education system. 

We have reinterpreted the “ Pour un Pacte National sur l’Education en Haiti” and incorporated some additional education concepts to provide a framework for us to consider the future.  The gap between the current realities and what could exist is substantial.  Issues in Haiti extend well beyond the education system and certainly impact the ability of all actors to affect change. 

We believe that governance, security, economy and numerous other issues will impair progress in Haitian education for some time to come, despite recent initiatives and the best intentions of many.

Given these realities, we have undertaken a pragmatic approach on our projects to ensure that we are focussed amidst the confusion, can explain our plans to those that support us and can readily measure results. 

IEQ is an assessment tool designed to focus on the basic requirements necessary to provide quality education given limited resources.  IEQ provides the basis to evaluate current conditions and provide a framework to identify priorities and allocate resources.  IEQ involves 7 components necessary to create an effective education environment in Haiti.