Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
In Benin, the education sector is governed by three ministries: the Ministry of Preschool and Primary Education, the Ministry of Secondary Education, Technical and Vocational Training, Retraining and Youth Employment, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Financial resources are allocated directly to central bodies through the Treasury and indirectly to decentralised bodies and schools via local authorities, specifically communes, which collect revenue for this purpose. The allocation process is managed by several bodies, including the Directorate General of the Budget within the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as the Directorates of Financial Resources and Equipment and the Directorates of Programming and Forecasting within the education ministries.
Decentralisation laws assign communes the responsibility for building, equipping, repairing, and maintaining primary and nursery schools, while communes with special status are responsible for secondary schools. Deconcentrated administrative structures oversee education at the regional level, and school districts at the communal level are tasked with implementing state education and training policies.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
The Municipal Development Support Fund (FADeC) transfers resources to municipalities in Benin to reduce poverty by enhancing access to high-quality basic social services and promoting the local economy through infrastructure development, such as schools, health facilities, and commercial buildings.
Article 2 of Decree No. 2008-276 states that the FADec is funded by national resources and external resources from technical and financial partners based on agreements with the state, municipalities, or intermunicipal structures.
The 2025 Finance Bill includes provisions for transferring resources to local authorities (communes) for the construction and equipment of classrooms, as well as for the purchase of food and other expenses related to school canteens under the Ministry of Preschool and Primary Education (MEMP).
2. Education resources to schools
Since the 2000s, and officially as part of the free education programme since 2006, public elementary schools have received subsidies and are provided with teaching materials and educational resources. Initially, the free education subsidy consisted of granting all public nursery and primary schools a sum of one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000) CFA francs per class. For instance, a school with six classes receives nine hundred thousand (900,000) CFA francs.
School Integration of People with Disabilities
The Post-2015 Education Sector Plan (2018–2030) and the National Policy for the Protection and Integration of Persons with Disabilities provide grants to institutions supporting students with special needs. The 2025 Finance Law highlights resource allocations to the deaf-mute school as a key education initiative. Additionally, the 2025 Finance Bill notes funding dedicated to the school integration of people with disabilities.
3. Education resources to students and families
Support to Girls’ Education
According to the 2025 Finance Bill, substantial resources are allocated to subsidise tuition waivers for high school female students. Additionally, under the Sweed programme, girls receive school kits and a monthly allowance of FCFA 12,000. This initiative, first launched in 1994, was restarted in 2022 across 20 communes.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Allocations familiales (Family Allowances)
Family allowances are provided to families with children under 22 who are enrolled in education. To qualify, workers must demonstrate at least 18 days or 120 hours of paid employment per month and earn an income at least equal to the minimum wage or a pension. The allowance amounts to FCFA 2,000 per month for each eligible child, up to a maximum of six children. However, this programme does not include a component that directly transfers resources to disadvantaged students or households.
5. School meal programmes
Programme national d’alimentation scolaire intégré (National Integrated School Feeding Programme)
The National Integrated School Feeding Programme (PNASI), launched in 2017, is implemented by the Ministry of Preschool and Primary Education in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and primarily funded by the Ministry of Education. The programme targets schools based on geography—focusing on rural areas where households are far from schools and where enrolment rates are low—as well as on grade levels, mainly primary schools with some preschool children included when located on the same site, and school type, focusing on public schools. PNASI also employs two nutritionists funded by the WFP.
