On the occasion of the National Day of teachers, this Thursday, May 17, 2012, the Association of Teachers of Petit-Goâve (AEPG), led by Nerva Bonhomme, explained during a press conference, the grievances of public school teachers.

Primary school teachers have been particularly critical vis-à-vis the Haitian state... "We can not celebrate today because of the cost of living and maltreatment which we are subject," declared Françoise Dorette, a teacher and counselor of the AEPG. As for Mr. Bonhomme Nerva, he claimed a salary adjustment for teachers and the improvement of quality of education...

Mr. Gary Guillaud, the Secretary General of the AEPG, mentioned in his speech, the misery experienced by teachers who do not know when they can get out... "Us the public school teachers, have come to sound the alarm to the leaders of the country, so they can respond to our grievances. It's good to talk about free education, but the authorities in place have said nothing on the actions they will undertaken to change the living conditions of teachers. The salary received by teachers, is insufficient, it must enable them to pay but not their bills but respond to various basic needs such as food, drinking water, electricity, transportation, health...

[...] We demand the application of section 32-10 of the current Constitution, which has asked the state to pay for public school teachers a reasonable salary that would enable them to support themselves. Under this article, and female teachers of primary schools, should be paid a monthly fee of 17,000 gourdes. We will trigger a process called 'Hurricane' [?], In case the claims of public school teachers, would not be considered."

That same day, at the Ritz Kinam II, while in Petit Goâve teachers spoke to strike rather than dialogue, Réginald Paul, the Minister of National Education, accompanied by Anne Valerie Thimotée Milford, representative of the Presidency proceeded to the awarding of Honor plate to honor thirty teachers, and figures from the world of education that have contributed to the advancement of education in Haiti during a day which was held under the theme "the teacher an agent of change for the Haiti of tomorrow." The Minister of Education acknowledged that "nothing can ever replace a teacher [...] it is not possible to conceal the conditions under which teachers work." Recalling that the Presidency is aware of the situation and promised a wage review which will take into account firstly the seniority and place of employment...

HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondent Petit-Goâve)