As Haiti continues its recovery from the January earthquake, reconstruction in the country takes many forms. With a literacy rate of about 50 percent, Haiti's education system has struggled to provide for its youth, especially those living in rural areas. The disaster only exacerbated the pervasive institutional problems faced by the country's few reforming educators.
Published April 18, 2011
On April 2nd, the Clinton Global Initiative held a panel discussion on education in a post-disaster context, and the challenges faced. Pulitzer Center journalist Paul Franz discussed his experiences working in Haiti on the topic of education, and the lack of a formal education system there, He explained how the few schools on the ground are for the most part privately owned, and not accountable to any standards, or to the government. Moreover, over 50% of the population is illiterate, yet education forms a crucial part in rebuilding a nation.
He was joined on the panel by Mehnaz Akber Aziz, Chief Executive and Founding Director, for the Children's Global Network in Pakistan, and Baltazar S. Tribunalo Jr., Country Program Advisor on Child Centered Climate and Disaster Risk Management, Plan International Inc., working in the Philippines.
Recently
Tackling the challenges of working in a tent city, music teacher Alzire Roucourt offers hope and education to the Haitian students in her class.
Haiti's post-earthquake tent cities house many willing students who lack accessible education. Educator Alzire Rocourt has a passion for teaching and a vision for change.
Pulitzer Center alumni
Maia joined the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting in January 2010. Prior to this, she interned at Voice of America radio’s French-to-Africa service, broadcast in Central and West Africa. Maia has...