In a landmark decision that will reshape Haiti’s educational landscape, the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) has mandated the nationwide implementation of a completely revamped curriculum for the third cycle of fundamental education. Minister Augustin Antoine formally enacted Ministerial Decision No. D-2(1)384 on January 9, 2026, setting in motion a comprehensive educational transformation scheduled for full implementation by the 2027-2028 academic year.
The reform introduces four entirely new subjects that will become immediately effective across all educational institutions starting from the 2024-2025 school year: Citizenship Education (EC), Aesthetic and Artistic Education (EEA), Physical and Sports Education (EPS), and Education for Technology and Productive Activities (ETAP).
A carefully structured three-year phased implementation will follow, beginning with 7th-grade classes (7th AF) in 2027-2028 adopting new programs for seven additional disciplines. These student cohorts will then progress through 8th grade (8th AF) in 2028-2029 and 9th grade (9th AF) in 2029-2030 with corresponding updated curricula, ensuring complete nationwide coverage of the reformed educational framework.
The constitutional foundation for this educational overhaul rests upon Haiti’s guarantee of education rights through multiple constitutional articles. The reform aligns with the September 27, 1994 law that reorganized Haiti’s education system and established basic education standards.
Implementation responsibilities have been clearly delineated across the educational bureaucracy. The Directorate of Fundamental Education (DEF) will coordinate pedagogical monitoring and provide technical support, while the Directorate of Training and Development (DFP) will organize comprehensive continuing education programs for teachers, administrators, and educational supervisors. Departmental Education Directorates (DDE) will ensure local compliance and dissemination of the new standards.
Notably, the ministry has also mandated that textbook publishers and educational material designers undertake a complete revision of their works under MENFP’s technical supervision to ensure alignment with the new competency-based approach (APC) and curricular innovations. This decision expressly repeals all previous provisions that conflict with the new educational framework.