Benin’s education minister charts new course for primary schools

Armand Kuyema Natta, Benin’s Minister of Pre-Primary and Primary Education, launched an official tour of the Ouémé and Plateau departments on July 29, 2026. This maiden voyage following his appointment focused on direct engagement with sector leaders to identify priorities and establish actionable strategies for both maintaining existing achievements and introducing innovative improvements.

Strengthening educational foundations through dialogue

Accompanied by his senior advisor Paulin Gbenou, the minister convened meetings with departmental directors, technical and central management teams, and heads of institutions under his ministry’s supervision. The discussions centered on operational challenges and strategic priorities for Benin’s early childhood and primary education sectors.

In these working sessions, Kuyema Natta outlined a dual-track agenda: safeguarding past gains while pioneering new initiatives. He positioned himself as a collaborative leader, emphasizing regular communication with field practitioners as essential to sustainable progress. The minister specifically praised the 2026 primary school certificate examination results, highlighting the government’s commitment to maintaining rigorous academic standards and robust monitoring systems across all educational levels.

Addressing critical infrastructure and staffing gaps

During the same meetings, departmental leaders raised pressing concerns regarding human resources and material resources. Their presentations highlighted three primary needs:

• Staff expansion: Recruitment of additional teachers to reduce classroom overcrowding and improve student-teacher ratios
• Professional development: Enhanced initial training and continuous professional development programs for educators
• Technological modernization: Provision of computer equipment for central and technical directorates to streamline administrative processes

Another key issue discussed was the planned relocation of ministry services to the Ahossougbéta administrative city. While the minister confirmed government commitment to expediting this transition, specific timelines and implementation procedures remain under development.

Next steps: Expanding outreach to Atlantic and Littoral

The minister’s tour continues on July 30 in the Atlantic and Littoral departments. These subsequent visits aim to deepen engagement with local education stakeholders, gather grassroots insights, and address operational challenges affecting daily school operations in these regions.