Bénin education minister launches drive to boost school performance
Armand Kuyema Natta, Benin’s Minister of Pre-Primary and Primary Education, launched an official tour on July 29, 2026 to engage with education leaders across the Ouémé and Plateau departments. This maiden field visit since his appointment aims to assess sector challenges and set actionable priorities to strengthen educational outcomes.
Meeting with education stakeholders
Accompanied by senior advisor Paulin Gbenou, Minister Kuyema Natta held discussions with departmental directors, technical and central education officials, and heads of institutions under his ministry’s supervision. The sessions focused on service efficiency and the sector’s most pressing challenges.
Two-pronged strategy: consolidation and innovation
The minister outlined a dual strategy for his tenure: “strengthening existing gains and driving innovation.” He urged teams to build on recent academic progress—particularly in the 2026 Primary School Certificate (CEP) results—while introducing reforms to enhance teaching quality and system monitoring.
Emphasizing the need for continuous dialogue, he positioned himself as a facilitator for frontline educators: “I am at your service to support your work.”
Key challenges: staffing and infrastructure gaps
Education leaders highlighted critical needs during the meetings. They called for:
- Recruitment of new teachers to address staff shortages
- Enhanced initial and ongoing training for educators
- Provision of IT equipment for central and technical departments
The relocation of services to the Cité administrative d’Ahossougbéta was also discussed. Minister Kuyema Natta confirmed government commitment to expedite this transition but did not disclose a timeline or implementation details.
Next steps: expanding outreach
The minister’s tour continues on July 30, 2026, with visits to the Atlantique and Littoral departments. These engagements aim to gather further insights from local actors on operational hurdles in the education sector.
