Following a crucial working session at the Palais de la Marina led by Romuald Wadagni, Anselme Amoussou, the Secretary General of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bénin (CSA-Bénin), shared his strong optimism regarding the commitments made by the executive branch.
This extended meeting, which brought together trade union centers and representatives of the Aspirant Teachers (AME), resulted in concrete arbitration, securing major professional guarantees for the teaching body after years of advocacy.
Expressing appreciation for the constructive dialogue and the determination shown by the authorities just before the start of the school year, Anselme Amoussou highlighted the significance of these decisions.
“The constructive atmosphere during our discussions, combined with the stance taken by the head of state, assures us that there is a genuine political will to finally resolve the situation of the AME,” the union leader stated.
Major breakthroughs achieved for aspirant teachers
The negotiations successfully secured several critical milestones for regularising these teachers’ status. First, the initial requirement to undergo a new evaluation exam has been permanently discarded. Instead, direct recruitment will be based on qualifications, classroom experience, and professional merit, provided the teacher has completed three consecutive contracts.
Furthermore, the beneficiaries will join the public administration as public contract agents of decentralized local authorities (ACDPCTD). This specific status ensures a smooth administrative connection between sector ministries and local municipalities, while also simplifying access to bank loans and financial services.
On the social front, continuous enrollment with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) is fully maintained, preventing any administrative gaps. Additionally, the age limits have been aligned with public service standards—set at 35 years for categories C and D, and 40 years for categories A and B—ensuring that these agents can complete the 15 years of contributions required to qualify for a retirement pension.
Lastly, the established timeline prioritizes the integration of the 2019 cohort, which accounts for more than half of the total workforce, before gradually extending the process to subsequent groups.
This social consensus marks the beginning of a gradual transition away from job insecurity for thousands of educators, setting the stage for a peaceful and stable school year across Bénin.
