Welcome to the official online home of the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education (CEEC), the central guiding body for Catholic education throughout Haiti. For decades, the Catholic Church has been a steadfast pillar in the nation’s educational landscape, driven by the profound belief that the Catholic school is a privileged place for the integral formation of the person. Our mission extends beyond academic instruction; it is a vocation to contribute to the complete development of every individual—physically, intellectually, socially, morally, and religiously.
In a nation of immense challenges and boundless potential, education is the most powerful catalyst for change. It is the bread of instruction that nourishes minds, builds character, and paves the way for a brighter future. Here, we invite you to learn about our enduring commitment, our extensive network of schools, our transformative projects, and how you can join us in our mission to build a new society through the foundation of a strong, values-based Christian education.
About the CEEC: Our Identity, History, and Structure
What is the CEEC?
The Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education, known by its French acronym CEEC (La Commission Épiscopale pour l’Éducation Catholique), is the official decentralized body of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH) dedicated to the field of education. In simple terms, the CEEC is the organization that represents, plans, and coordinates the educational policy and actions of the Catholic Church across Haiti. We are the strategic and operational heart of one of the nation’s largest and most vital educational networks.
Our core responsibilities include:
- Defining Policy: We articulate the educational vision and policies of the Catholic Church in Haiti.
- Planning & Coordination: We strategically plan and coordinate educational initiatives to ensure they are effective and aligned with our mission.
- Monitoring & Support: We provide ongoing support and monitoring for Catholic schools to maintain high standards of quality and care.
Our Founding and Mandate
The CEEC was officially established on January 28, 1987, by the Episcopal Conference of Haiti. Its creation was a formal declaration of the Church’s permanent and unwavering engagement in the field of education. Our purpose was to create a national organization capable of providing cohesive leadership and strategic direction to the vast and diverse network of Catholic schools operating throughout the country.
Our Leadership and Two-Tiered Structure
To effectively manage and support a network of this scale, the CEEC developed a robust organizational structure in May 1989. This structure operates on two interconnected levels, ensuring that our work is both centrally coordinated and locally responsive.
- The National Level: The Central Bureau
At the national level, the CEEC is led by a Central Bureau, which is headed by a Presiding Bishop appointed directly by the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH). The Presiding Bishop is supported by a committee of nine members who represent all sectors of Catholic education in Haiti. This Central Bureau is our national voice. It is authorized to engage with the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) and with international Catholic educational organizations on all matters related to education. It is responsible for national-level planning, project management, and policy implementation. - The Local Level: The Diocesan Bureaus
At the local, or diocesan, level, our work is carried out through Diocesan Education Committees (CDE). Each of Haiti’s ten dioceses has its own CDE, which is headed by the local Diocesan Bishop. The executive arm of this committee is the Diocesan Education Bureau (BDE). The BDE is the operational force on the ground, working directly with the schools in its region to provide guidance, training, and support. While serving their local communities, the BDEs also report directly to the Central Bureau of the CEEC, creating a seamless flow of information and a coordinated national strategy.
This unique structure creates a powerful and dynamic network. It allows us to combine high-level strategic planning with grassroots, on-the-ground implementation, ensuring that the needs of individual schools and communities are heard and addressed.
The Scope of Our Work: What We Do in Haiti
The CEEC’s work is multifaceted, touching every aspect of education from policy and teacher training to direct school management and community engagement.
Coordinating a Vast Educational Network
The foundation of our work is the extensive network of Catholic educational institutions that we support and coordinate. These schools are often the only source of quality education in many rural and underserved areas of Haiti. Our network includes a diverse range of institutions:
- Fundamental and Secondary Schools: Providing primary and high school education based on the national curriculum, enriched with Catholic values.
- Presbyteral Schools: Schools run directly by local parishes, often serving the most vulnerable communities.
- Schools of National and Public Congregations: Institutions managed by long-standing religious orders dedicated to education.
- Schools of Private Congregations: Schools operated by other dedicated religious congregations.
- Autonomous Catholic Schools: Independent Catholic schools that are part of our wider network.
Beyond formal schooling, our commitment extends to non-formal education. We recognize that learning is not confined to the classroom. Therefore, we also support critical initiatives such as adult literacy programs and projects aimed at providing education and care for street children, offering them a path away from vulnerability and towards a more hopeful future.
The Catholic Educational Project (PEC): A Vision for Community-Centered Schools
In our ongoing effort to improve the quality and relevance of education, the CEEC has developed and implemented the Catholic Educational Project (PEC). This transformative project proposes a new organizational and management plan for Catholic schools. The goal is to move beyond a traditional, top-down model and create schools that are vibrant, attractive, and deeply integrated into their communities.
The PEC establishes new participatory structures within schools to promote the active involvement of all key stakeholders:
- Parents are invited to take a more active role in their children’s education.
- Students are given a voice through school government and committees.
- Teachers are empowered to contribute to school management and pedagogical innovation.
- School Officials work collaboratively with the community.
- Community Notables and Leaders are engaged to ensure the school is a true community asset.
By bringing everyone to the table, the PEC fosters a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for the success of the school. It is our belief that when a school becomes the heart of its community, it thrives.
Empowering Educators: Our Commitment to Teacher Training
We firmly believe that the quality of an education system can never exceed the quality of its teachers. For this reason, teacher training is a cornerstone of our work. The CEEC is officially recognized by Haiti’s Ministry of National Education (MENFP) as a formal training operator.
This official recognition means that we have the authority and expertise to:
- Develop Training Modules: We design and create high-quality training modules for teachers, particularly for the first two cycles of primary education, that are fully compliant with the national framework for continuing education.
- Execute Training Programs: We implement these training programs across all ten dioceses, ensuring that teachers even in the most remote areas have access to professional development.
- Provide Official Certification: Upon successful completion of our training, we issue certificates and diplomas that are officially homologated, or approved, by the MENFP. This gives teachers a recognized qualification that advances their careers and validates their skills.
Our Journey of Resilience: Overcoming Adversity
The history of the CEEC is not only one of growth and achievement but also one of profound resilience in the face of immense hardship. The first great test of our resolve came in the first days of March 2004, in the aftermath of political events that led to the departure of the former President.
During this period of turmoil, our Mgr. Rémy Augustin Training Center in Drouillard, along with our fully equipped carpentry and printing workshops, were systematically looted and then completely burned to the ground. The destruction was absolute. We lost more than two million US dollars worth of essential equipment, furniture, invaluable books, and supplies of all kinds. Everything was either carried away or destroyed on site.
For any organization, such a loss would be catastrophic. For a non-profit operating in Haiti, it was a seemingly insurmountable blow. Yet, it was in this moment of devastation that the true spirit of the CEEC was revealed. Fueled by faith, determination, and an unbreakable commitment to our mission, we began the slow and arduous process of rebuilding. This experience, though tragic, forged our resolve and stands as a powerful testament to our dedication to the people of Haiti. We did not give up then, and we will not give up now.
How We Sustain Our Work
The CEEC is not funded by the state. Our operations are sustained primarily through two channels:
- Projects Funded by Partners: We actively design and execute educational projects in partnership with national and international donors, Catholic church institutions, and other socio-educational organizations who believe in our mission.
- Income-Generating Activities: To foster a degree of self-sufficiency, we have established several income-generating activities. These include our “Ateliers Joseph Ouvrier” (Saint Joseph the Worker Workshops), which house our carpentry and printing services, as well as our Training Center. The revenue from these activities is reinvested directly back into our educational programs.
Support Our Mission: How You Can Help
Our ability to continue and expand our vital work depends on the support of a global community of friends, partners, and donors. Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a tangible difference in the life of a Haitian child and their community. There are several ways you can support our actions:
1. Promote Our Activities: Help us raise awareness by sharing our story and our work with your network, your church, or your organization.
2. Advocate on Our Behalf: Support our initiatives by connecting us with funding agencies, foundations, or individuals who may be interested in partnering with us.
3. Contribute Financially: Your financial support directly funds our teacher training programs, school improvement projects, and literacy initiatives.
How to Make a Financial Contribution:
You can send a check made payable to the Commission Episcopale pour l’Education Catholique (CEEC) to the following address:
- 14, Rue Lespinasse, ave Fragneau-ville, Puits Blain, Delmas 75, PO-Box 1675, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Alternatively, you can make a direct bank transfer to one of our accounts:
For contributions in Haitian Gourdes (HTG):
- Account Holder: Commission Episcopale pour l’Education Catholique (CEEC)
- Account Number: 102 100 641 878
- Bank Name: UNIBANK – HAITI
- BIC / SWIFT Code: UBNKHTPP
For contributions in US Dollars (USD):
- Account Holder: Commission Episcopale pour l’Education Catholique (CEEC)
- Account Number: 102 200 622 749
- Bank Name: UNIBANK – HAITI
- BIC / SWIFT Code: UBNKHTPP
Contact Us
We welcome your questions, comments, and inquiries. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
Our Address:
14, Rue Lespinasse, ave Fragneau-ville, Puits Blain, Delmas 75, PO-Box 1675, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
By Telephone:
- +509 2209 5037
- +509 2209 5038
By Email: