BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE CENTRE D’ETUDES SECONDAIRES (CES)
Founded, initially, in 1954, by five members: Pierre Jerome Pradel Pompilus, Max Chancy, Jean Claude, Lesly Saint-Roc Francois Manigat et Pierre Riche, the board of directors was, with time reduced to three. Around the turn of last century , a new generation composed of Patrick Pompilus, Rodolphe Mathurin, Guy–Serge Pompilus and Robert Lemaine took over at the helm, steering the school into the 21st century. By that time, the original school located at the intersection of Avenues N and Boyer had been relocated to its present address, following a fire that destroyed the edifice in 1975.
LET US MEET THEM: those who impart on generations of adolescent Haitians with a solid education and prepare them for career in sciences, literature, language and policies at home and abroad.
I- Pradel Pompilus (August 1914–February 2000). After high school, he obtained a license in law (1936) and a PhD in literature; subsequently he taught, latin and literature. He was one of the advocates of Creole for which he remains a great defender as an official language of Haiti. With the same fervor, he supported French as a literary heritage and means of communication across the French Speaking World.
II- Max Chancy (May 1928-March 2002). He was an intellectual, a political activist and labor leader. As such, he was an advocate of the Union and solidarity in Haiti. Having served as a member of the left-wing resistance of the government of Duvalier, in 1960 he fled into exile. He is the recipient of a PhD in philosophy from the Sorbonne and the University of Mainz, Germany. While living in Canada and teaching, he continued his engagement with HaÏti’s education system. He died in his country.
III- Jean Claude (died in 1996 in his hometown: Jacmel). He taught latin and philosophy. His style of teaching was unique and he was loved by all his former students. “Jean Claude” as he was known by students and colleagues did not hesitate to sing a song to accentuate a major philosophical idea. He was one of the most charismatic teachers who loathes mediocracy in his students.
IV- Pierre Riche. Little is known about our mathematics teacher. We retained that he studied in France and obtained a degree in Sorbonne.
Lesly Manigat (August 1930–June 2014) “Tant vaut l’éducation, tant vaut la nation. Tant vaut
l’éducation de qualité, tant vaut une classe politique, reflétant la voie de la souveraineté d’Haïti». He died four months into his presidency.
At the turn of 21st century, Patrick Pompilus, Robert Lemaine Rodolphe Mathurin, and Guy Serge Pompilus, took over the direction of CES. Their goal is to do things well. Quality of education remains the foundation and focus of the institution. The classes have been reduced in size; the curriculum have been readjusted: media room, library, computer and science laboratories have been set up, to open the window to the requirements of 21st century; and allow students regardless of their economic status to have access to quality education.
In May 2021, during the COVID–19 pandemic, Patrick Pompilus passed away.
Robert Lemaine, Rodolphe Mathurin and Guy Serge Pompilus have vowed to pursue the dream.
Our recognition goes to the archives of a few Haitian newspapers that have facilitated the documentation of the early days of the Centre d’Etudes Secondaires (CES).