According to a press release by Haiti’s Ministry of Communication, the Ministry of National Education & Vocational Training (MENFP) has issued an official circular informing the general public & educational entities that commercial activities on school campuses are strictly prohibited without the official consent from the proper authorities.
The education ministry also reiterated that the accreditation granted to schools by the MENFP is strictly for the functions related to conducting curricular & extracurricular activities.
The circular further specified that any school wishing to conduct commercial activities on campus must first obtain legal approval from the Ministry of Trade & Industry & The Direction Générale des Impots (DGI).
The school must also adhere to other strictly defined business licensing requirements, which include obtaining a proper business license and identification card. Business licensing documents will also need to be prominently displayed on school grounds.
In addition, the press release also noted that school officials could not mandate that parents only be able to purchase school supplies or other materials from their specific school nor request that school fees be paid in foreign currency.