Haitian government announces $17M back-to-school aid package for families

Haiti's government has announced a 2.5 billion-gourde—roughly $17 million—cash-transfer program for 140,000 parents of students, with each eligible beneficiary receiving 15,000 gourdes, or about $116. A broader back-to-school package announced Sept. 4 also provides assistance to 30,000 vulnerable families, rehabilitates 52 schools, distributes 8,000 pieces of school furniture and deploys 10,750 police officers to support the 2026-2027 school year. PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haiti's government has launched a 2.5 billion-gourde, roughly $17 million cash-transfer program for 140,000 parents of students, while expanding its broader back-to-school response to include 30,000 vulnerable families, school rehabilitation and increased security. The financial assistance is part of a package aimed at easing the cost of the 2026-2027 school year, which officially began Monday, Sept. 7. Under a protocol signed by the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) and the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) on Aug. 18, each eligible parent is to receive 15,000 gourdes—about $116. The program targets parents whose children attend national, community, municipal and presbyteral schools in disadvantaged areas. Parents and guardians submitted documents for school subsidy applications at the National Education Fund (FNE) at Félix Box National School on Rue 17 N-O in Cap-Haïtien, Northern Department, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Photo via the FNE's Facebook account The government announced a broader set of measures on Sept. 4, saying 130,000 parents and 30,000 vulnerable families would receive financial support through a joint effort involving the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), MENFP and the National Education Fund (FNE). The package also includes rehabilitating 52 schools, distributing 8,000 pieces of school furniture and deploying 10,750 Haitian National Police officers to support the school year. 'The government is working to make the back-to-school season more accessible, better prepared and safer for Haitian students and families,' the government said in its Sept. 4 announcement. 'In Haiti, no parent should have to choose between feeding their family and sending their child to school.' The aid package figures reflect different announcements. The MENFP-FAES cash-transfer program, announced on Aug. 26, identified 140,000 parents as beneficiaries, including the 30,000 vulnerable families. However, the government's Sept. 4 broader back-to-school announcement referred to 130,000 parents and 30,000 vulnerable families. The new school year officially opened Monday with Education Minister Vijonet Déméro launching the academic year at Horatius Laventure High School in Delmas 75, Port-au-Prince. The ministry said the year would focus on inclusion, equal opportunity and access to quality education. The ministry, through different representatives, also held back-to-school ceremonies at the country's 10 departmental education directorates. The reopening comes as Haiti's education system continues to operate under the pressure of violence, displacement and poverty. Under the cash-transfer program, the FAES is responsible for executing payments using beneficiary lists generated through MENFP's Education Management Information System (SIGE). The ministry said SIGE is designed to collect and manage information on schools, students and teachers, including students' identity, residence, disability status and family circumstances. The FNE separately announced Aug. 31 that it was accepting applications for school subsidies under its School Subsidy Program for the 2026-27 academic year. Parents and school administrators applying for the subsidy must provide documents including a letter addressed to the FNE director general, two reachable telephone numbers, valid identification for the responsible adult, the child's latest report card, a tuition payment slip and the name and valid telephone number of the person responsible for the school, the agency said. Applications must also include the child's birth certificate or an archival extract. The government's broader back-to-school measures come as thousands of Haitian children continue to face disruptions to their education because of insecurity and displacement. UNICEF reported that more than 1,600 schools were closed during the 2024-2025 academic year, affecting about 7,500 teachers and depriving more than 240,000 students of learning. By early June 2026, about 1.5 million people in Haiti were internally displaced, roughly half of them children. UNICEF also reported that 2.8 million children needed humanitarian assistance. It also estimates that this year nearly 1.5 million children, about 41% of Haiti's school-age population, and teachers need support to access education. Demographic data published by the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (ISHI) in 2024 estimated the number of school-age children at over 3.6 million. 'As the back-to-school season approaches, let us commit to defending every child's right to learn, grow and prepare for their future.' UNICEF Some schools have also been occupied by armed groups, used as shelters by displaced families or damaged and destroyed, further complicating efforts to restore regular access to education. The government says its school rehabilitation and security measures are intended to address some of those challenges. The 10,750 police officers mobilized by the Haitian National Police are part of a special security operation accompanying the school reopening and continuing through the academic year. The government also said the Ministry of Public Works is working to improve traffic flow and reduce risks associated with severe weather. The official school calendar calls for 194 school days, with the academic year beginning Sept. 7 and continuing into July 2027. 'As the back-to-school season approaches, let us commit to defending every child's right to learn, grow and prepare for their future,' UNICEF said.