The Pleins Feux project, unveiled in Abidjan in April 2026, is a cornerstone of Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing efforts to modernize its education system under President Alassane Ouattara. Supported by international partners, this initiative aims to enhance educational governance and strengthen public policy effectiveness to ensure lasting improvements in student learning outcomes.
With over 30 million inhabitants—of which the majority are young people—Côte d’Ivoire faces growing pressure on its education system, particularly in rural areas. Prioritizing education aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the 2030 Agenda. For more than a decade, the Ivorian government has implemented successive reforms to expand access and elevate the quality of teaching nationwide.
Expanding access and improving infrastructure in Ivorian schools
Since 2011, the country has significantly boosted its teaching workforce, recruiting over 69,000 primary school teachers and over 30,000 secondary school teachers. Recent efforts have focused on STEM education, with an additional 1,800 teachers deployed in mathematics and physics to meet labor market demands and support economic transformation.
Investments in school infrastructure have accelerated, especially in rural regions, to shorten travel distances for students and reduce dropout rates. New schools have been built across the country, expanding educational coverage. A notable example is the opening of the Boundiali Teacher Training College (CAFOP) in northern Côte d’Ivoire, where nearly 68,000 candidates competed for approximately 7,000 spots in 2026—a clear sign of the government’s commitment to strengthening and renewing the teaching profession.
Enhancing teaching conditions and fostering inclusion
Improving teaching conditions has become a key pillar of Ivorian education policy. Between 2011 and 2025, starting salaries for primary school teachers rose by over 30%, while secondary school salaries increased by up to 15%, helping attract and retain talent in the profession.
The government has also prioritized inclusive education, introducing adapted teaching materials for students with disabilities—a significant step toward building a more equitable school system. Additional efforts include preventive campaigns to combat early school pregnancies, aimed at reducing disruptions in students’ educational journeys and encouraging them to stay in school.
‘Pleins Feux’: A governance-driven approach to education reform
Launched in Abidjan on April 12, 2026, the Pleins Feux initiative builds on existing reforms by focusing on the governance and operational efficiency of the education system. Unlike infrastructure or hiring drives, this program targets the organizational and administrative mechanisms that drive policy implementation.
Developed in partnership with UNESCO, the African Union, and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM), the project is the result of two years of collaborative work in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Its goal is to empower policymakers and educational leaders with the tools and skills needed to deliver better results on the ground.
This initiative arrives at a time when international partners are commending Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in foundational learning. The government continues to advance its reform agenda through diverse collaborations—with global, regional, and private sector actors—to sustain the transformation of its education system.
