A Student-Led Educational Initiative
Beaucejour examines génie interscolaire as a student-driven recreational activity designed by and for schoolchildren. His analysis focuses on two major initiatives:
- JUJ-Génie, organized since 2010 by the Association des Jeunes Universitaires pour le Développement de la Grand’Anse (AJUDG), which brings together schools in the city of Jérémie.
- Star-Génie, created by the group Young-Stars and inspired by the first competition, which extends participation to schools in the rural communities of Bombon and Les Abricots.
Drawing on his own experience as a former participant and organizer, Beaucejour provides rich qualitative insight into how these competitions operate and what they represent for young learners.
More Than a Competition
The article demonstrates that génie interscolaire offers solutions to the lack of recreational infrastructures in the region. It fulfills the three traditional functions of leisure—
- relaxation,
- entertainment, and
- cognitive development,
while helping students expand their learning beyond the traditional classroom environment. Participants develop confidence, motivation, knowledge, and community belonging in an educational model that encourages engagement and creativity.
At the same time, Beaucejour highlights the complex relationship between génie interscolaire and the concept of leisure itself, noting that such competitions can also create pressures and expectations that shape the student experience.
A Valuable Perspective on Community-Based Education
By documenting a grassroots initiative developed and sustained by local youth, this work offers valuable insight into how communities innovate to support student success despite limited resources. It contributes to broader conversations about educational development, youth engagement, and the social meaning of leisure in educational contexts.
Read the full article here: Gazette Univ – Génie Interscolaire à Jérémie, Haïti (available in French only).