Education in Haiti and at St. Geneviève School

A Sister Parish Reflection

The Sister Parish Ministry would like to share more about the students, teachers and staff at St. Genevieve School, as well as information about education in Haiti. We feel that sharing this data is an important component of our covenant relationship. It permits us to better understand the powerful impact of the support that we at SPSA are privileged to provide. It also allows us to thoughtfully reflect on how WE CAN CONTINUE TO RESPOND as a Sister Parish to St. Genevieve.

A Sister Parish member has researched Haitian schools and teachers. While noting that statistics are very difficult to find, Pat S. has been able to uncover some valuable insights.

In Haiti, even though a free public education is proscribed by the government, a lack of funding severely impacts this goal. 

• School is compulsory until the 9^th grade, per the education ministry.

• Only about 8% of schools are public, with free tuition, due to lack of government funds. 

• Ninety-two percent are private; requiring paid tuition or international support. 

• It is estimated that only 50% of eligible elementary-age children attend school.

• 60% of children drop out of school before 6^th grade because higher education does not guarantee a higher paying job.

• Public elementary school teachers are supposed to be paid $287 per month, for those with 2 to 5 years of experience. Secondary school teachers with this experience are supposed to be paid $342 per month.

• Salaries of teachers in rural areas earn, between $50 and $100 per month. 

• Most Haitian teachers supplement their salaries with a second job, most often in agriculture.

At St. Genevieve School, there are 14 teachers and 5 support staff. Additional grade levels have been added since our covenant began, and now there are 413 students in grades K to 9. St. Genevieve’s goal is to continue grade-level expansion, so that children do not have to travel outside the village or pay tuition to go on to the higher grade-levels. The school and our Sister Parish are in Zoranje, a rural town in Haiti.  

• Most of students pass the mandatory national examination required after 9^th grade.

• The average salary of the teachers is $94 per month.

• Several of the teachers, encouraged by our Sister Parish relationship, are advancing their own education by attending high school and college. 

• There have not been any recent wage increases. 

“Our” teachers have remained faithful to their education mission, even with stagnant salaries. “Our” students are performing well. St. Genevieve and St. Patrick – St. Anthony parishioners and clergy continue to demonstrate an incredible support of education through the school grade-level expansion and commitment to financial support.   

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Will you join us in supporting the children of St. Geneviève?

There is still time to make a difference; a gift in any amount will have an impact. Please visit our Giving Tree this weekend and take home a tag. You can also contribute online. Click the button below to donate. Or you can mail a check to St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church with “Christmas in July” in the memo. Send to 285 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103.

Read more about our Christmas in July event to help get ready to feed all the students at St. Genevieve’s School