Students go back to Haitian school three years after gang attack | UN News
Students have returned to the Lycée National de La Saline after it was closed due to gang violence.
“My question to Madame Amina is how can she support our community so we can finish our studies and carry on to university,” said Selina Apollon.
The UN is supporting the reopening of schools like Lycée National de La Saline.
Greeted by the student brass band, the UN Deputy Secretary-General toured the school which had received a fresh coat of paint and a new mural welcoming her to the compound. She greeted pupils in their classrooms and had this message for them.
“You have a huge opportunity to get an education; you are the future of Haiti,” she said. “Some of you want to be doctors or nurses. You can be anything you want with a good education and that begins at this school.”
The United Nations works closely with the government to improve access to free education and quality learning in order to make sure more children in the most vulnerable parts of Port-au-Prince and across Haiti are able to attend school.
“You have a big responsibility,” Ms Mohammed told the students, “because not everyone is in school, so you are privileged. You need to show your communities that to go to school leads to development, to progress.”
The UN estimates that more than 200 schools have closed under pressure from gangs as violence continues in Port-au-Prince.
A welcome sign for the UN Deputy Secretary-General
The longer children stay out of school, the more likely it is that the boys may end up joining gangs and girls may become pregnant. And child labor, sexual abuse or violence may also increase.
The Ministry of Education is pushing for more schools to open, so that students like Selina and Felix can get the education they deserve.
Selina Apollon intends to make the most of her schooling as one day, she says she wants to become secretary to the President of Haiti. But above all, she says she wants to be a “role model to all young Haitians” and someone who can help her country develop in positive ways.
This aligns perfectly with the message that Amina Mohammed shared with the students of La Saline to realize their potential and make the most of their privileged positions.
