The destructive earthquake in Haiti in January didn't just destroy homes and office buildings. It also destroyed most of Haiti's schools and most of children are not getting an education.

Officials say the January 12th quake destroyed or damaged more than 80 percent of Haiti's schools, leaving tens of thousands of bored and restless children living in squalid temporary camps without any schools at all.

The devastating earthquake also killed nearly 4-thousand students and more than 700 teachers, principals and staff.

On Monday, a group of private school directors delivered a petition to Haitian President Rene Preval decrying the lack of government action and demanding schools reopen immediately, be they in tents, temporary buildings or other makeshift facilities.

The education ministry in Haiti has earmarked an early April return.

But officials say they must assess buildings and find tents for schools before schools can open.

Meanwhile, some aid groups are running temporary school programs in the makeshift camps where children learn basic lessons like hygiene and counting.

Alzire Rocourt, volunteer coordinating temporary school programe in the camp:

"We are hoping to give them mostly the hope and the impetus to go back on their feet and be happy in order for them to be able to cope with the situation."

Even before the devastating quake problems in the education system were rife.
Just one in 10 Haitian teachers is a qualified educator and a third have not even completed ninth grade.

EBRU NEWS