Benin education minister outlines new strategies for schools
Minister Armand Kuyema Natta launches consultations in Ouémé and Plateau departments to strengthen the primary education system.
Armand Kuyema Natta, Benin’s Minister of Preschool and Primary Education, began an official tour on July 29, 2026, visiting the departments of Ouémé and Plateau. This first visit since his appointment reflects his commitment to engaging directly with sector leaders to assess progress and identify priority actions for improving educational performance.
Minister meets with education leaders to define priorities
Accompanied by his senior advisor Paulin Gbenou, Minister Kuyema Natta held discussions with departmental directors, technical and central directors, and heads of institutions under his ministry’s supervision. The meetings focused on evaluating service operations and addressing the key challenges faced by early childhood and primary education stakeholders.
During these exchanges, the minister emphasized two core objectives: “strengthening achievements and fostering innovation.” He called on teams to build on progress made in recent years while introducing new initiatives to enhance the education system. Describing himself as “your servant,” he underscored the importance of ongoing dialogue with local education leaders.
Celebrating recent academic progress
The minister highlighted the strong results of the 2026 Primary School Certificate (CEP) exams, as well as the successful implementation of educational programs and monitoring systems. He stressed that rising success rates should encourage continued efforts and the reinforcement of existing structures at all levels.
Addressing critical needs in human and material resources
Education leaders raised concerns about staffing shortages, calling for the recruitment of new teachers and the strengthening of initial and ongoing training programs. They also emphasized the urgent need for computer equipment for central and technical departments.
The relocation of services to the Ahossougbéta administrative city was also discussed. Minister Kuyema Natta confirmed that the government is working to expedite this process, though no specific timeline or implementation details were provided.
Next steps: Expanding consultations to new departments
The minister’s tour will continue on July 30, 2026, with visits to the Atlantique and Littoral departments. These engagements aim to gather further insights from local actors regarding the operational challenges affecting the education sector.