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Challenges to Overcome to Achieve Universal Primary Education in Benin by 2015
G M Joachim Boko, MPA’10 University of Pittsburgh
Netherlands Development Organization
Introduction Primary education in Benin and
research question Methodology Research findings Conclusion
Global concerns for development in this millennium Global Forum on Education (2000) Millennium Development Goals (2002) Fast Track Initiative Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
Benin is listed among countries far from reaching the EFA goals despite apparent governmental and donor commitment
Education as a national concern present in public policy (Etat Généraux de l’education, National Forum On Education, etc.)
Government commitment for primary education
Strong donors mobilization and support (Fast track, bilateral donors)
However, the results seem not to follow Benin is among the 17 countries far from
reaching EFA goals (UNESCO, GMR 2009)
What changes needs to be made to make the most out of available resources, increase effectiveness in primary education service provision and achieve EFA to in Benin?
Qualitative approach Interviews with key informants: parents
associations, policymakers, policy implementers, local governments, etc.
Dataset produced by the Netherlands Development Organization on accountability and service provision in 3 municipalities
Content analysis
Clients’ perceptions: Accountability from within“Executive members and elected officials
are not used to give account. “They take responsibilities in your name and do not tell you anything about what’s going on. How can you hold them accountable in these conditions?”
A student parent
A donor requirement bringing negative political drawbacks“If we are elected it is because people trust in us;
there is no need to embarrass ourselves with giving account. Doing it may mean that we have something to hide. It is the (technical and financial) partners who brought this matter and if we could be accountable to them, that should be enough. We are in politics and anything you do can bring bad drawbacks during elections.”
Elected official
Upward bureaucratic accountability and politicization“A public agency officer is someone who is
recruited by the State for the whole length of his career and is rarely punished. Therefore, he has no culture of downward accountability. He does not depend on the mayor. The service he provides is appreciated by his superior hierarchy and not by the beneficiaries…”
A public servant
58% of the personnel of the Ministry of Primary Education disagree that promotions in the ministry take into account individual performance (UNESCO, 2007)
Job specification book not enforced
Performance criteria apply only to the lowest level of service provision
Readiness of municipalities to take on responsibilities in primary education service provision
Availability of a department of dedicated exclusively to primary education
Primary education service provision specifically taken care of somehow by other departments
Statistics production and update / planning for education sector
Availability of technical knowledge on construction of school facilities
Gogounou No No No yes
Kandi No Yes No yes
Banikoara No No No No
Cobly No No Yes No
Toucountouna No Yes Yes Yes
Boukoumbe No Yes Yes Yes
Klouekanme Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lokossa No Yes No No
Dogbo No Yes No Yes
Aplahoue No No No Yes
Ouinhi No Yes No Yes
Sinende No Yes Yes Yes
Za-Kpota No Yes No Yes
Unless people’s perceptions especially those in the position to hold accountable and those in the position to give account change, little will be achieved toward the education for all goals.
Decentralization is important to achieve goals, however the current state of affairs in Benin leaves little room to achieve results in the short term; the required capacities are absent in most of local governments.
The last alternative remains the central government in the short term. However, unless accountability mechanisms are enforced and the responsibility chain is redefined with clear compacts and performance criteria, and most important, enforcement along the responsibility chain, little results will be achieved in the short term.