The Beninese government has rolled out a sweeping set of reforms aimed at reshaping the education landscape ahead of the 2026-2027 academic year. Approved in a cabinet meeting, these measures focus on inclusion and modernization across all levels of learning, backed by a significant financial injection of nearly 30 billion West African CFA francs.
Primary education: expanding school feeding programs to fight dropout rates
One of the flagship initiatives targets school nutrition and attendance, with the national school canteen program expanding to reach an additional 500,000 children. This brings the total number of beneficiaries to 1.9 million, ensuring daily hot meals for students in rural and peri-urban areas where access to food remains a challenge. The expansion reinforces efforts to keep vulnerable children in classrooms and improve learning outcomes.
In parallel, a targeted emergency plan has been approved to secure uninterrupted learning in border regions facing security challenges. This includes infrastructure upgrades and tailored support for teachers and students operating in high-risk zones.
Secondary and technical education: eliminating fees for girls and upgrading facilities
The government has prioritized gender equality and resource gaps in secondary and technical education through two major measures:
- Full tuition waiver for all female students enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, removing financial barriers that often deter girls from pursuing technical careers.
- Infrastructure boost: A first allocation of 12,000 new student desks will be distributed to General Education Colleges (CEG) to accommodate rising enrollment, alongside the rehabilitation of girls’ high schools nationwide.
Higher education: higher scholarships and improved mobility
The higher education sector receives a substantial share of the budget, with financial aid packages seeing a significant boost—up to 49% depending on the field of study. This includes increased back-to-school allowances and enhanced excellence scholarships for students pursuing studies abroad. To facilitate student movement, 63 new buses will be deployed across four public universities: Abomey-Calavi, Parakou, UNA Kétou, and UNSTIM Abomey, serving multiple intercity routes.
A comprehensive campus upgrade program is also underway, targeting university cafeterias and infirmaries with full equipment renewal and the addition of qualified staff. Additionally, all newly enrolled university students with severe disabilities will automatically receive a scholarship, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive education.
From policy to action: preparing for a transformative academic year
Ministries have been tasked with finalizing operational details before the official start of the 2026-2027 school year. This ambitious financial commitment underscores the government’s vision to foster social stability and unlock human potential through accessible, equitable, and high-quality education.
