June 14, 2025
A viral video showing high school students parodying the Haitian national anthem in the streets of Port-au-Prince has sparked outrage from the West Departmental Directorate of Education (DDE-O). “Such behavior […] cannot be tolerated,” the institution declared, calling the act a serious affront to civic values.
The footage shows students in uniform marching while singing a distorted version of the historic anthem tied to the creation of the Haitian flag. According to the DDE-O, these actions damage the image of both the school system and Haitian youth as a whole.
In response, the directorate is urging school administrators involved to take immediate action. A meeting with the students and their parents must be held to reinforce the importance of respecting the nation’s cultural heritage and historical legacy.
A detailed report outlining the measures taken is to be submitted to the DDE-O within 72 hours. The directive’s stated goal is clear: to restore discipline and uphold exemplary behavior in high schools across the metropolitan area.
