The Issue

The children of Haiti are no different than the children in America except that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The government has advocated for the creation of a free public and universal education system for all primary school-age students in Haiti. Yet currently there is no government funding available or appropriated in the near future to provide for free public education for all children in Haiti.

Education

The government does little to support education, with 90% of schools being funded by NGOs- charities and religious organizations. Sixty percent of children will abandon school before 6th grade. Only 29 percent of Haitians, age 25 and above attended secondary school.

Economic conditions

Most people in Belot, Haiti are subsistence farmers, growing just enough food to feed their families. More than 80% of Haitians live on $2 a day or less. Children may work in the fields instead of attending school.

Literacy Rate

Haiti’s literacy rate is 61% – 64% for males and 57% for females. The average literacy rate for Latin American and Caribbean developing countries is 92%. The USA is 99%.