June 14, 2025
The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP in French) has issued a forceful condemnation following the violent assault of a teacher on May 18 at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Cap-Haïtien. The attack, reportedly carried out by an officer of the Haitian National Police during the official Flag Day ceremony, occurred as the ministry was publicly honoring educators — making the incident all the more disturbing.
“This act is a grave affront not only to the dignity of the individual teacher but to the entire teaching profession,” the MENFP stated, calling the assault a direct attack on one of the nation’s foundational institutions. The ministry emphasized the symbolic weight of the setting and occasion, underscoring the unacceptable nature of such violence during a national celebration.
Calling the officer’s actions “barbaric,” the ministry demanded an immediate investigation and legal proceedings against those responsible. “Such behavior cannot and must not be tolerated in a state governed by the rule of law,” the statement read.
In a solemn appeal to national conscience, the MENFP urged the Haitian public to rise above impunity and restore a sense of collective dignity. The ministry reaffirmed that solidarity, responsibility, and mutual respect must once again become non-negotiable principles in public life.
Teachers, the ministry emphasized, must be protected, honored, and treated in accordance with the vital role they play in society. “Their commitment must be respected, because education is the cornerstone of national recovery,” the statement concluded.
