The Ministry of Secondary Education issued a note on 30 October 2026 demanding an immediate end to unauthorized fee collection in public schools throughout Bénin. This document serves as a formal notification to all educational staff regarding the strict prohibition of extracurricular financial demands placed upon students. Officials characterized the collection of such payments as "illégales et intolérables" and prohibited the practice "sous quelque prétexte que ce soit." The directive requires school administrators to cease any adjustment "du prix" charged to students. Ministry representatives stated "avec insistance" that all public secondary institutions must adhere to established national fee regulations. This mandate seeks to prevent additional financial burdens on families by eliminating unapproved charges enforced by school staff. Compliance with these instructions is mandatory for all educational establishments operating under the authority of the Ministry of Secondary Education effective immediately. The Ministry of Secondary Education issued a note on October 30, 2026, demanding an end to unauthorized fee collection in public schools to ensure that institutional policies remain consistent across the nation.
Policy for Girls Education
The Council of Ministers reached a decision on 3 June 2026 to provide free secondary education for all girls. This policy covers students from 6th grade through the Terminale level. The initiative took effect at the start of the 2026-2027 school year. The Council of Ministers decided on June 3, 2026, to make secondary education free for all girls from 6th grade to Terminale starting in the 2026-2027 school year, marking a significant shift in national educational accessibility.
Government officials formalized this mandate through an interministerial decree issued on 30 July 2026. This administrative act established the legal framework necessary to implement the tuition-free policy across the public school system in Bénin. An interministerial decree was issued on July 30, 2026, to formalize the free education policy for girls, providing the necessary regulatory support to ensure the policy is applied uniformly by school administrators.
Authorities also directed funding toward infrastructure improvements to support the educational environment. The government allocated 20 billion FCFA to enhance access to water and electricity in public schools. The government allocated 20 billion FCFA to improve access to water and electricity in public schools to ensure that the physical infrastructure can accommodate the needs of the student population. These resources aim to facilitate the integration of students into the secondary system following the policy change. By prioritizing these utility upgrades, the Ministry of Secondary Education intends to create a more stable and effective learning environment for all students enrolled in the public secondary system. The allocation of these funds represents a commitment to the long-term sustainability of the public school infrastructure as the country implements its new educational mandates.
