Since early 2022, Digital Promise has been supporting partners in Haiti — including Anseye Pou Ayiti (APA) (“Teach for Haiti”), Model School Network (MSN), and Blue Butterfly — to introduce blended learning to primary schools in the rural areas of Mirebalais and Gonaives. This partnership is strengthening the capabilities of Haitian educators to deliver high-quality, culturally relevant learning using digital tools in order to “leapfrog” inequities and close the digital divide in learning opportunities and outcomes for young people.
Now in its second year of implementation, the pilot is focusing on deepening and evaluating the impact of our work in the APA and MSN school networks, where 12 schools are implementing Eksploratoryòm, Blue Butterfly’s active-learning science education program. We have made a lot of progress, but the work has not been easy. School operations and daily life in Haiti continue to be impacted by ongoing political unrest and gang violence. Thanks to the perseverance and ingenuity of our local partners, we’ve managed to overcome every obstacle in our path.
Below, partners share their perspectives on this progress:
Olles Honorat, Coaches’ Supervisor, Model School Network
“Haiti is one of the few countries in the world where teaching and learning still take place in the traditional way. We have always experienced natural disasters and political unrest that hinder the smooth running of schools. So, it’s important to bring this new project, which combines technological tools and active pedagogy, to make learning more meaningful for students, because the world is changing and children are already starting to use devices at home.” – Olles Honorat, Coaches’ Supervisor, Model School Network
Cherlande Léon, Teacher, Model School Network
“The use of this program has a very positive impact on both the student and the teacher. The student learns while having fun and learning takes place in an atmosphere of active participation. The teacher develops new teaching and learning strategies and techniques, with the aim of placing the learner at the center of his or her learning.” – Cherlande Léon, Teacher, Model School Network
Walter Seraphin, Teacher, Model School Network
“The project’s main contribution to learning lies in its ability to personalize teaching and extend the learning time available. It also encourages interaction and collaboration between learners. The use of digital technology enables the teacher to play a coaching role, offering a less restrictive learning approach that can extend beyond the classroom.” – Walter Seraphin, Teacher, Model School Network
Alande Offlat, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
“What I like most about the project is that the sessions are prepared and presented in the learners’ mother tongue. I’d like to see the project extended throughout the country, as it facilitates students’ learning and enables teachers and learners to value the Creole language.” – Alande Offlat, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
Stessy Javeline Duckenson, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
“The positive impact of this project lies in the new methods and strategies for teaching lessons with technological materials that enhance teachers’ skills. I’d like to see the project integrated into the Ministry of Education’s program so that all schools in the country can benefit from it.” -Stessy Javeline Duckenson, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
Renel Ylisse, Pedagogical Coach, Model School Network
“This project contributes to the physical, intellectual, and social development of the students. It develops children’s safety, self-confidence, and autonomy, enabling them to solve everyday problems. I would like to see this project extended to other levels of our schools in the future.” – Renel Ylisse, Pedagogical Coach, Model School Network
Evelyne Jean-Charles, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
“What I like most about the project is the active participation and liveliness of the learners during the sessions, especially during the discovery phase of the lessons.” – Evelyne Jean-Charles, Teacher, Anseye Pou Ayiti
Masillon Clibert, School Director, Anseye Pou Ayiti
“The training sessions help teachers to be more competent in their work. The use of digital materials and the teaching strategies learned in the training sessions are pillars that can be applied in other educational contexts around the world.” – Masillon Clibert, School Director, Anseye Pou Ayiti
Esther Oxilas, Pedagogical Coach, Anseye Pou Ayiti
“It’s very important that we invest in this work now in Haiti, because the country has been experiencing a crisis for several years, which means that the school years are truncated. This program will facilitate distance learning, especially in times of crisis when learners can’t get to school.“ – Esther Oxilas, Pedagogical Coach, Anseye Pou Ayiti
At this critical time, we are eager to build on our strong foundation and expand the impact of this work to other geographies and levels of the education system in order to build resiliency and long-term opportunities for Haitian children, families, and communities.
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