Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Children in Haiti are returning to school amid ongoing insecurity and gang violence that disrupt daily life and education. Many pupils must cross areas controlled by armed groups, risking crossfire and forced recruitment on their way to class. Despite these dangers, schools remain crucial spaces for learning and social connection.
According to a displaced father and advocate, reuniting with friends at school acts as therapy for children uprooted by violence. However, learning conditions remain difficult in many regions due to persistent instability.
Parents express cautious hope about reopening classes but highlight the many hardships they face, including hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and the financial burden of schooling, particularly in private institutions. These concerns are prevalent among displaced families seeking safe, continuous education for their children.
UNICEF reports that for the 2024–2025 academic year, over 1,600 schools in Haiti have been impacted by insecurity. This disruption has affected more than 240,000 children and around 7,500 teachers. In Port-au-Prince, where an estimated 90% of the capital is under gang control, some schools have been forced to close, become inaccessible, or even destroyed. Other schools serve as emergency shelters for displaced families.
For many Haitian children, continuing their education requires courage amidst ongoing threats and violence.