"We cannot satisfy teachers if we do not listen to them. The same applies to all other employees of the Ministry." With these words, Vijonet Dénéro, the new Minister of National Education, opened his first meeting on Friday, March 13, 2026, with representatives of several teachers’ and administrative staff unions.

More than fifty union members participated in this meeting, during which they drew the Minister’s attention to fundamental points in their demands, notably the salary alignment for primary and secondary school teachers.

Minister Dénéro remains convinced of the need to maintain dialogue with the unions, believing that the State has a responsibility to listen to their concerns. According to him, this is one way to guarantee teachers’ motivation and to recognize their value in the work they perform daily for the nation. The objective is to examine how to progressively address their demands, in accordance with the Government's roadmap and the Ministry's budgetary resources.

These discussions highlighted the need to fully implement the "Commitment Protocol" signed by the Ministry with several union platforms and networks in January 2025 (https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44109-haiti-education-end-of-teachersstrike.html). The parties agreed to continue discussions on this document, which addresses crucial issues such as regularizing the status of many teachers, the issue of the Debit Card, insurance coverage from the Office of Occupational Accident, Illness, and Maternity Insurance (OFATMA), school canteens, and the reactivation of the Joint Commission on Social Dialogue.

Pending the resumption of the Joint Commission's work, the Minister of National Education has taken the initiative to establish a special committee tasked with addressing the following priority issues:

- Teachers appointed but who have never taken up their posts;

- Teachers who are actually working but have not been appointed;

- Teachers appointed but who have not yet received their salaries.

This special committee is composed of officials from the Human Resources Department, the Administrative Affairs Department, the Coordination of Departmental Directorates, and members of the Minister's office. It will work closely with the union platforms and is expected to submit its report within 15 to 22 days.

HL/ HaitiLibre