The Pleins Feux initiative, unveiled in April 2026 in Abidjan, represents a pivotal milestone in Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing educational transformation led by President Alassane Ouattara. Supported by global partners, this project aims to streamline education governance and enhance public policy effectiveness to sustainably elevate learning standards across the nation.
Why Côte d’Ivoire’s education system needs urgent modernization
With a population exceeding 30 million and a youthful demographic, Côte d’Ivoire faces mounting pressure on its education system—particularly in rural regions. Each year, hundreds of thousands of new students enroll, intensifying the demand for quality learning opportunities. Recognizing education as a cornerstone of national progress, President Ouattara has prioritized reforms aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the UN’s Agenda 2030. Over the past decade, the government has implemented sweeping changes to expand access and improve teaching quality.
Scaling up Côte d’Ivoire’s education system: key initiatives
Under President Ouattara’s leadership, Côte d’Ivoire has made significant strides in teacher recruitment and school infrastructure development. Since 2011, over 69,000 primary teachers and 30,000 secondary teachers have been hired, with recent emphasis on STEM disciplines. Notably, 1,800 additional math and physics educators were deployed in 2025 to meet labor market demands and support the country’s economic transformation goals.
Infrastructure investments have also surged, especially in rural areas, to reduce travel distances and prevent early school dropouts. New schools built nationwide have expanded educational coverage. For example, the Boundiali CAFOP in northern Côte d’Ivoire exemplifies this effort. In 2026, nearly 68,000 candidates competed for 7,000 teaching positions, underscoring a structured push to enhance educator training and retention.
Building inclusive, high-quality learning environments
Improving teaching conditions is a critical focus of Côte d’Ivoire’s education strategy. Between 2011 and 2025, entry-level teacher salaries rose by over 30% in primary schools and up to 15% in secondary schools, boosting job appeal and stabilizing teaching teams. Additionally, the government has prioritized inclusive education by introducing adapted learning materials for students with disabilities—a major step toward ensuring no child is left behind.
School safety and student retention are also key priorities. Initiatives such as awareness campaigns against teenage pregnancy in schools aim to reduce disruptions and keep learners on track. These measures reflect a holistic approach to educational quality, addressing both infrastructure and human-resource challenges.
Governance at the heart of ‘Pleins Feux’
The Pleins Feux project, launched in Abidjan in April 2026, shifts the focus from physical infrastructure to educational governance. Developed in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union, and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM), the initiative follows two years of pilot testing in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Ethiopia.
The program strengthens decision-making and pedagogical leadership, equipping educators with tools to improve learning outcomes. As international partners commend Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in foundational learning, the government continues to leverage diverse partnerships—global, regional, and private—to drive systemic change.