Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06COTONOU1165
2006-11-28 14:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Cotonou
Cable title:
BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI DECLARES FREE EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY
how-toVZCZCXRO0367 PP RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHCO #1165 3321452 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281452Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY COTONOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9038 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1014
UNCLAS COTONOU 001165
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W
DEPT PASS TO USAID
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SCUL PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI DECLARES FREE EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY
AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN
UNCLAS COTONOU 001165
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W
DEPT PASS TO USAID
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SCUL PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI DECLARES FREE EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY
AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN
1. In early November 2006, President Boni Yayi announced that
primary and pre-primary education would be "free," meaning that
schools would no longer be permitted to charge fees. However,
families of students must still purchase their children's books and
uniforms. At most of Benin's schools, the academic year begins with
an appeal by school directors to parents for payments to purchase
basic materials such as chalk, paper, and enrollment registers.
Such fees imposed a financial burden in poor communities and helped
depress enrollment. They also contravened Benin's constitutional
requirement for compulsory primary education and stipulation that
the government must "progressively" make education in public schools
free.
2. President Yayi announced that the Ministry of Finance would
immediately release school subsidy funds in the amount of 2.8
billion FCFA (approximately USD 5.5 million) for the 2006-07 school
year, which began early October. He stipulated that the funds this
year would go not only toward purchasing needed materials but also
to repay parents who have already made contributions. To be sure
that his message was well understood, he called on local leaders and
elected officials to help raise awareness about the importance of
completing basic education. President Yayi also sent a group of
government ministers throughout the country to discuss this
initiative with community members.
3. In his speech to the nation announcing the new policy, President
Yayi emphasized the importance of basic education to Benin's
economic development. In a country with a total adult literacy rate
of just under 35%, achieving universally available primary education
to provide basic numeracy, literacy and problem-solving skills is
essential to reaching Benin's goals in economic growth. Yayi also
announced a national forum in early December to discuss education
issues in Benin.
4. COMMENT: The new policy sends a strong message about the
importance of basic education that is perfectly in sync with
programs by USAID and other donors promoting quality universal basic
education. It is only one step in that process, however, and does
not address many of the other constraints facing basic education in
Benin. A shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate teacher
training resources, and a lack of classrooms and textbooks are also
significant problems that the Government must address if its earlier
efforts to improve its curriculum and management are to succeed.
END COMMENT.
BROWN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/W
DEPT PASS TO USAID
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SCUL PREL BN
SUBJECT: BENIN: PRESIDENT YAYI DECLARES FREE EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY
AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN
1. In early November 2006, President Boni Yayi announced that
primary and pre-primary education would be "free," meaning that
schools would no longer be permitted to charge fees. However,
families of students must still purchase their children's books and
uniforms. At most of Benin's schools, the academic year begins with
an appeal by school directors to parents for payments to purchase
basic materials such as chalk, paper, and enrollment registers.
Such fees imposed a financial burden in poor communities and helped
depress enrollment. They also contravened Benin's constitutional
requirement for compulsory primary education and stipulation that
the government must "progressively" make education in public schools
free.
2. President Yayi announced that the Ministry of Finance would
immediately release school subsidy funds in the amount of 2.8
billion FCFA (approximately USD 5.5 million) for the 2006-07 school
year, which began early October. He stipulated that the funds this
year would go not only toward purchasing needed materials but also
to repay parents who have already made contributions. To be sure
that his message was well understood, he called on local leaders and
elected officials to help raise awareness about the importance of
completing basic education. President Yayi also sent a group of
government ministers throughout the country to discuss this
initiative with community members.
3. In his speech to the nation announcing the new policy, President
Yayi emphasized the importance of basic education to Benin's
economic development. In a country with a total adult literacy rate
of just under 35%, achieving universally available primary education
to provide basic numeracy, literacy and problem-solving skills is
essential to reaching Benin's goals in economic growth. Yayi also
announced a national forum in early December to discuss education
issues in Benin.
4. COMMENT: The new policy sends a strong message about the
importance of basic education that is perfectly in sync with
programs by USAID and other donors promoting quality universal basic
education. It is only one step in that process, however, and does
not address many of the other constraints facing basic education in
Benin. A shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate teacher
training resources, and a lack of classrooms and textbooks are also
significant problems that the Government must address if its earlier
efforts to improve its curriculum and management are to succeed.
END COMMENT.
BROWN