Five days before the reopening of classes, scheduled for Monday, September 7, 2026, Marguerite B. Clerié spoke about what returning to school means for students. For the president of the Professional Association of Private Schools (APEP), this reopening, far from being a simple return to routine, is a breath of fresh air for young people who will be able to go back to class. This observation stems from the fact that, because of the situation in the country, recreational spaces for children are virtually nonexistent. This forces them to remain confined at home throughout the vacation period. And in the absence of leisure activities, they now turn to school to keep themselves occupied.

“If it is a child who lives in an area where there are no difficulties [in terms of security, editor’s note], where the schools in the area have reopened their doors, many of them are very happy about it,” said Clerié, who took part in the Wednesday, September 2, 2026 edition of Panel Magik. “Especially in a country like Haiti, where school has become a haven of peace. Getting away from an environment that is sometimes stressful, for a certain category of children, makes returning to school a source of happiness,” she continued.