The Beninese government has set a bold agenda for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year, approving a sweeping package of reforms designed to transform the country’s education system. At its core is a 30 billion FCFA investment aimed at fostering social equity and upgrading learning environments from primary schools to university lecture halls.
Strengthening school nutrition and access for half a million more children
The national school feeding program is being scaled up to reach nearly 1.9 million pupils, up from 1.4 million today. This expansion ensures that every child in rural and peri-urban areas receives a hot meal every school day, supporting both nutrition and classroom attendance. Complementing this effort, a special initiative has been launched to safeguard education in border regions facing security pressures. The plan includes infrastructure upgrades and tailored support for teachers and students in these areas.
Breaking gender barriers and upgrading classrooms in secondary and technical education
In the general and technical secondary system, the government is prioritizing gender parity and closing equipment gaps. Key measures include:
- Full tuition fee waivers for all girls enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, removing financial barriers that have long discouraged female participation.
- A first tranche of 12,000 new student desks is being distributed to middle schools to accommodate growing class sizes, alongside targeted renovations of girls’ high schools nationwide.
Higher education gets a major upgrade: more funding, better transport, and healthier campuses
The university sector is at the heart of the new investment drive, with financial measures designed to ease the financial burden on students and enhance their daily lives.
The scholarship system has been significantly boosted, with increases of up to 49 % in certain fields, along with higher back-to-school allowances and adjustments to overseas study grants. Mobility is also improving: a fleet of 63 new buses will serve the four public universities—Abomey-Calavi, Parakou, UNA Kétou, and UNSTIM Abomey—on intercity routes. On campus, university restaurants and health clinics are being fully refurbished and equipped with qualified staff. In a move to promote full inclusion, every new university student with severe disabilities will automatically receive a scholarship upon enrollment.
From policy to practice: ministries gear up for implementation
Ministries have been instructed to finalize all operational arrangements before the official start of the academic year. With this injection of funds, the government is positioning the 2026-2027 school year as a milestone in social stability and human capital development.
