Benin education minister launches roadmap to boost school performance
In a strategic move to strengthen the national education framework, Benin’s Minister of Pre-school and Primary Education, Armand Kuyema Natta, launched an official tour of the country’s educational hubs this week. The initiative, marking his first major outreach since assuming office, targets the departments of Ouémé and Plateau. The primary goal? To engage directly with sector leaders and chart a clear path forward for consolidating past achievements while driving innovation.
Direct engagement with education stakeholders
Accompanied by senior advisor Paulin Gbenou, Minister Natta convened meetings with departmental directors, technical and central office heads, and leaders of institutions under his ministry’s supervision. The sessions focused on evaluating service delivery and identifying the most pressing challenges facing educators and administrators in the pre-school and primary sectors.
During these discussions, the minister outlined a dual-pillar strategy: “strengthening existing gains and fostering innovation.” He urged teams to not only maintain but also elevate recent performance levels, particularly in national exams such as the 2026 Primary School Certificate (CEP), where success rates have shown promising progress. He emphasized the need for sustained dialogue with field-level leaders to ensure alignment and responsiveness.
Addressing critical infrastructure and human resource gaps
Education officials raised urgent concerns during the sessions. Key priorities include:
- Staffing shortages: Recruitment of additional teachers to reduce classroom overcrowding and improve student-teacher ratios.
- Professional development: Enhancing both initial and ongoing training for educators to align with modern pedagogical standards.
- Digital tools: Providing computing equipment and connectivity to central and technical directorates to support data-driven decision-making.
Another major topic was the planned relocation of ministerial services to the Cité administrative d’Ahossougbéta. While the minister confirmed government commitment to expediting this transition, no specific timeline or implementation details were disclosed.
Next steps: Expanding outreach and planning
The minister’s tour continues today in the Atlantique and Littoral departments. These upcoming exchanges aim to deepen understanding of local operational realities and gather grassroots feedback on the sector’s functioning. The insights collected will inform the finalization of the 2026–2027 education action plan.
