SCHOOLS have been closed in poverty-stricken parts of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, community groups warned today, as children drift towards criminal gangs.

The Koz Pa’m NGO, which helps young people displaying violent behaviour to reintegrate into society, said that increased numbers were joining armed groups and committing “acts of banditry” due to a lack of access to education.

It said that those in the Carrefour Feuilles and Solino areas of the capital were particularly susceptible.