A film about the education system in Haiti from the citizens’ perspective.
In Haiti, around 50% of boys and girls of mandatory school age are not enrolled in school (UN, 2013). Public schools make up just 12% of the total number of existing schools, according to the most recent school census (2011). School infrastructure is poor; this is reflected in the fact that 76.8% of primary schools do not have electricity. Regarding the quality of education, 79% of primary school teachers have not received any kind of basic training.
Despite legal commitment to a number of international human rights treaties guaranteeing the right to education, Haiti is the only country in Latin America and the Caribbean that does not have a General Education Act.
In January 2010, an earthquake killed 300 000 people and destroyed the homes of two-thirds of the population in the capital and nearby areas. For the education system, the impact was no less harmful. According to official data, 1234 schools were destroyed and a further 2504 schools were damaged.
Five years after the earthquake, the Latin American Campaign for the Right to Education (CLADE) and the Reunification of Education for All (REPT), of Haiti, present the documentary Dignité: the human right to education in Haiti.
The film, in Creole and with subtitles in different languages, presents a group of testimonies from Haitians about education in their country. Students, teachers, directors and parents, experts, activists, government representatives and representatives from international organisations reflect upon the challenges and put forth proposals to build an education system that guarantees the right to education.