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.