The Haitian educational system is affected by the poverty that exists throughout the country. Education is compulsory, but this law is not really enforced. Since the government does not have a lot of resources and the infrastructure is lacking, many children do not receive a good education. The government provides some public schools, but over 90% of the schools are private. This means that only people who can afford it are able to send their children to school. If the family doesn't have money, then the children don't get an education. Only 67% of children actually go to school, and only 30% of them make it to sixth grade. Haitian families, most of which are already poor, make a lot of economic sacrifices for their children's education. There are two years of kindergarten, six years of primary school, and three to four years of high school, for those who are lucky enough to attend.
Haitian students wear uniforms to school. Boys and girls go to school together. Students must memorize and recite the information found in small books. There is not a lot of opportunity to ask questions or to get help if we don't understand something. Classes are big, and many schools are overcrowded. For many students, school provides their only consistent meal of the day. Other students choose to buy their lunch from people who come to cook in fire pits on the school grounds.
The teachers in Haiti don't have a very friendly relationship with their students. Students are expected to listen to what the teacher says and copy what he or she writes on the board. Lessons are sometimes taught in French, a language which most of the students and many of the teachers do not understand. Corporal punishment is frequent, and students receive whippings for coming to school late, not paying attention, not doing homework, or not wearing a uniform. In recent years, teachers have gone on strike, because they say that the government has not given them back pay or improved working conditions. When this happens, students have no one to teach them for several weeks.
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Literacy:
total population: 52.9%
male: 54.8%
female: 51.2%