During the earthquake of January 12, 2010 the losses in the education system were very large, 38,000 students, 1,347 teachers and 180 education personnel have lost their lives that day. More than 4,200 schools were destroyed and the building housing the Ministry of Education.

Very quickly the staff of the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) got back to work, first in an annex in good condition, then a little later the offices were transferred to containers and under a tent. MENFP was quickly faced with a monumental challenge, getting the education system back, and allow the return of children to school as quickly as possible. This gradual progress has been impeded by the loss of office equipment.

Last week, employees, who have shared the few working computers, have welcomed with joy a donation, of 60 laptops, 20 desktop computers, 80 desks and chairs, and 20 printers, from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the PHARE Programme (Haitian Support for the Reform of Education).

Pierre-Michel Laguerre, Director General of MENFP declared "This will help us accelerate our work" adding that "We are grateful to the U.S. government and the American people" and recalling that "we are waiting with open arms whatever can benefit the Haitian child"

In addition to this donation, the USAID in conjunction with the MENFP has trained teachers in how to handle back-to-school activities, including psychosocial strategies. USAID cleared 450,000 cubic meters of rubble from 214 school sites, provided more than 420 classrooms and distributed 144,900 textbooks to enable children to return to school.

HL/ HaitiLibre