The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) published, on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, a circular aimed at sanitizing, modernizing, and regulating higher education in Haiti.<\/p>

The circular issued by the MENFP recalls the provisions of the decree of June 30, 2020, concerning the organization, functioning, and modernization of higher education and scientific research.<\/p>

According to the circular, rectors and vice-rectors of higher education institutions (IES) must hold a doctorate, awarded by a recognized institution, either in Haiti or abroad. Deans and secretaries general are required to have a master's degree, along with enrollment in a doctoral program. "These provisions apply to all public and private IES operating within the national territory," emphasized the MENFP.<\/p>

Non-compliant IES have a period of 90 days to submit updated documents of their leaders to the National Agency for Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANESRS).<\/p>

The circular provides for sanctions against institutions that refuse to comply with legal requirements. The sanctions mentioned include the suspension of operational authorization for the concerned IES on one hand, and the refusal of visas, accreditation, or recognition for diplomas signed by leaders who do not meet legal conditions.<\/p>

In this regard, the MENFP urges the ANESRS to "ensure strict adherence to these statutory requirements." According to the circular, the ANESRS must examine the administrative files of rectors, vice-rectors, and deans currently in office at the listed institutions. It must also maintain a national registry of university leaders and qualified researchers.<\/p>

The agency must also link all accreditation, renewal of operational authorization, and diploma recognition to the academic compliance of the management team.<\/p>

Through these measures, the MENFP aims for the sanitization, modernization, and regulation of higher education. It counts on all sector actors to "restore the academic credibility of Haitian Universities" and "ensure the excellence of the degrees awarded" to students.<\/p>

In August 2023, the MENFP published the list of recognized and authorized IES to provide training within the national territory. According to this list, 178 IES are recognized in Haiti. Of this total, 138 fall under the private domain; among the 40 others in the public domain, besides the 23 entities of the State University of Haiti (UEH), there were ten public universities in regions (UPR) and seven schools linked to ministries.<\/p>

Shortly after the publication of this list, the MENFP announced a census scheduled for October 2023. Ultimately, this census is expected to lead to the accreditation of the concerned institutions and their programs, the MENFP indicated. In August 2024, a new list published by the Directorate of Higher Education and Scientific Research (DESRS), the predecessor of the ANESRS, reported 189 IES, of which 158 were private higher education institutions.<\/p>