Catherine never imagined ending her schooling this way. A few days before his baccalaureate specialty tests, the final year student of the French Lycée Alexandre-Dumas d’Haiti does not even know if they will take place, Wednesday May 18 and Thursday May 19. “The government owes us an answer.she breathes. It really worries us, it’s our future we’re talking about. » For her and her 29 classmates, the vagueness becomes unbearable.
It all starts the day before the start of the school year, in September 2021. By decision of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French establishment in Port-au-Prince is closed for security reasons, in particular because of recurring clashes between gangs. Almost nine months later, classes are still being held exclusively remotely. “We have been fighting since for a return at least partially in person”summarizes Thierry Attié, president of the management committee of the Parents’ Association (APE).
“There are security concerns on the islandhe acknowledges. But our school is the only one in Haiti closed since September. » A solution is put on the table of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, supported by all teachers, parents and students: “The dual hybrid. » Understand, the choice between remote and face-to-face for students and teachers according to personal situations. But, despite work to secure the establishment (camera, fences, alarms, etc.), its doors remain closed.
The Defender of Rights seized
The closer the exam date gets, the greater the concern of parents and children. After these long months behind their screens, the students saw their learning suffer. Unstable connections, lack of interactivity, absence of human contact… All in an anxiety-provoking security climate. “Learning is really difficultsighs Amanda, Catherine’s classmate. Psychologically, I don’t feel ready for an exam. »
Supported by a letter from the teachers and an alarming report from the school psychologist, the APE reiterates, for the umpteenth time, its request for continuous monitoring. This April 27, the association seized the Defender of Rights to demand it for the 84 students of third, first and final. “Against all discrimination, we ask for the same regime as other French students when they were confined”explains their advice, Mand Valerie Piau.
But still no official instructions on the events of May 18 and 19. Contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms it “Various options are being examined in conjunction with the Ministry of National Education. » But the fear of staggered exams in September is growing among students. This would penalize them in their application for higher education. Especially since another threat hangs over the establishment for the start of the 2022 school year: its outright closure. “Many disappointed students left the establishmentlaments Thierry Attie. For American schools in particular, or even for foreign countries. » From 650 in September 2021, it evokes less than 250 students now.