In a significant move to bolster education systems in crisis-affected regions, UNESCO has unveiled two major programs supported by €7.7 million in funding from the European Union. The initiatives specifically target Haiti and Afghanistan, where educational infrastructure faces severe challenges due to ongoing instability.
The Haitian component, receiving €3 million in EU support, will focus on strengthening community schools in the country’s northeastern region. These institutions serve tens of thousands of students in rural areas where educational access remains particularly vulnerable. The comprehensive program aims to integrate these community schools into the national education system while enhancing adherence to quality teaching standards.
UNESCO Director General Khaled El-Enany emphasized the critical nature of educational continuity during crises, stating: “In times of crisis, school is a refuge that must never falter, and access to education is a right that must be guaranteed. These initiatives reflect UNESCO’s determination to provide people with opportunities to learn, to work, and to thrive – including in the most fragile and crisis-affected contexts.”
Haiti’s education system faces unprecedented challenges amid one of the most unstable periods in the nation’s recent history. Escalating violence and deepening socio-economic turmoil have severely undermined public institutions, strained social cohesion, and placed essential services – particularly education – at serious risk.
The UNESCO program will foster community participation and facilitate dialogue between families, teachers, and educational leaders, recognizing schools as vital spaces that support social cohesion and trust. Additionally, UNESCO will collaborate closely with national authorities to enhance the collection and utilization of education data, thereby strengthening the overall governance and management of Haiti’s education system.