SCHOOL NOTES

Edouard Constant
Education Director, Pwoje Espwa
 [Languages: Haitian Creole, French, English]

Highlights of Pwoje Espwa’s educational program, 1998-2005:

• Established school at Camp-Perrin, 320 students, 11 staff
• Established school at Les Cayes, 264 students, 10 staff
• Established school at Castel-Pere (Vilaj Espwa), 140 students, 4 staff
• Subsidize school at Tiburon, 90 students, 6 staff
• Pay tuition of 69 students to attend secondary schools
• Assist with fees, tuition and supplies for 99 local students
• Provide vocational training for 23 youths

For the first time, back in 2003, our students at Ekol Espwa in Les Cayes took part in the official exams organized by the Ministry of National Education in order to finish their cycle of primary studies.  At the time of the publication of the results, our school was among the best in the Southern Department with a 95% success rate.  Every year, our students also realize extraordinary success at secondary schools.

In the social and cultural field, our pupils have always had activities.  Every year, the school holds a carnival for the students and guests/parents.  At the end of each year, the school hosts a party to congratulate students who have completed their primary education.  Our students participate in interschool championships sponsored by the Haitian Ministry of Sports and Culture.  Our teams have always received a reasonable score, but they have been lacking in sports with no facilities or space to train.

During the academic year 2003-04, our school won many prizes, such as French dictionaries that we now use in our schools.  Competitions were organized by UNICEF and French Institutes in Haiti.  Eight of our teens were honored by the Alliance Francaise for excellence in French language skills. 

                         *  *  *