In a landmark move to modernize learning across the Caribbean nation, Haiti’s Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) has officially launched a dedicated national body tasked with steering the full digital transformation of the country’s public education system, announced by Education Minister Vijonet Déméro in a formal ministerial decree published on July 6, 2026.
Citing longstanding gaps in outdated teaching practices, fragmented school governance, and unequal access to modern learning materials, Minister Déméro framed the new commission as a critical strategic priority aligned with the need to integrate 21st-century information and communication technologies (ICT) into every level of Haitian education. The official order draws its legal authority from the 1989 Decree that governs the structure and operations of the national education ministry.
Officially named the National Commission for the Digital Transformation of the Education System (CNTNSE), the 11-member intersectoral body will operate directly under the oversight of MENFP. Its core mandate is to design, lead, and coordinate a unified national strategy for digitizing the entire education sector, bringing together stakeholders from government agencies, academic institutions, private industry, and international partners to align efforts and avoid fragmented initiatives.
The commission’s leadership and membership draws representation across multiple key sectors to ensure broad buy-in and technical expertise. Renan Michel, Inspector General of MENFP, will serve as the commission’s chair. Additional voting members include Gerald Belaire from the National Bureau of External Security (BUNEXE), Jean Joseph Mackenzie Charles from the Tunisian Union of Information and Communication Technologies (UTICE), Pierre Jean from the University of the South (US), Jean Misgaire Fanor from the French Center for Continuing Education (CFCE), and designated representatives from the National Telecommunications Council (CONATEL, technical and financial partners, the Network of Departmental Public Universities, state-recognized private universities, and the Departmental Directorates of Education. The final seat is reserved for an expert in educational and digital engineering appointed directly by the Minister’s office. The commission is also authorized to recruit ad-hoc technical specialists from any public or private entity to support its work as needed.
CNTNSE’s responsibilities are structured across four core focus areas that cover every stage of the digital transformation process. On the strategic front, the body will develop a comprehensive National Digital Transformation Plan for Education (PNTNE), establish unified technology standards for all schools nationwide, and roll out mandatory digital skills training for all education system employees. For pedagogical initiatives, it will oversee the development and regulation of digital learning platforms, including massive open online courses, manage the conversion of traditional print textbooks to digital formats, and coordinate ongoing upskilling for classroom teachers on digital teaching tools. For infrastructure, the commission will conduct a national audit of existing internet connectivity and technological equipment in schools and regional education offices, then develop a multi-year investment plan to close gaps. Finally, the commission will lead partnership and resource mobilization efforts, working with public, private, and international stakeholders to secure the technical and financial support needed to implement large-scale digital projects.
The commission’s formal term runs for 24 months, from June 5, 2026, to June 5, 2028, with the option of renewal based on the ministry’s strategic priorities and progress achieved. To ensure full transparency and accountability, the body is required to submit quarterly progress updates on its Digital Roadmap (DRM) to the Minister’s office, in addition to a full annual report covering achievements, challenges, and next steps. The new commission went into immediate effect following the publication of the ministerial decree and will be formally registered with all relevant Haitian government bodies.
This initiative marks one of the most ambitious structural overhauls of Haiti’s education system in recent decades, with the potential to expand access to quality learning resources for thousands of students across the country who currently lack access to modern educational tools.