Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Haitian Schools Reopen After Months of Unrest

Associated Press

   PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - Protected by police patrols, thousands of
   Haitian children began to return to school Monday after months of
   violent unrest forced schools to shut around the country.

   Some schools were about a quarter full in response to the Education
   Ministry's call last week to reopen public and private schools. Others
   had only a handful of students or didn't open at all.

   Like virtually all government offices and private businesses, Haitian
   schools closed during more than two months of protests aimed at
   pressuring President Jovenel Moise to leave office. Protesters say
   Moise has mismanaged the economy and tolerated corruption. Moise says
   he is trying to steer the country toward greater stability and will not
   cede to what he calls unconstitutional demands for him to leave office
   before his term is over.

   High school senior Yollande Chery arrived at her school to find only
   four other students and one teacher.

   "It hurts knowing that in other countries schools are in session," she
   said. "Staying home is not what I want to do. I want to be at school
   with my friends."

.