The government of Benin has announced that girls regularly enrolled in public secondary schools will no longer pay school contribution fees, starting from the 2026-2027 academic year. This measure, announced in June 2026, is now being implemented nationwide. It aims to facilitate access to education for young girls and encourage them to stay in the education system. This decision was made during the Council of Ministers meeting on June 3, 2026.
The exemption from school contribution fees was already in place for girls in the first cycle of secondary education. However, for the second cycle, the program was previously only implemented in certain communes. With this new development, the territorial limitation has been lifted, and all Beninese girls regularly enrolled in public secondary schools are now eligible, regardless of their commune of residence. This means that girls from sixth grade to high school will benefit from the exemption.
The decision to extend free schooling to all girls in public secondary schools comes at a time when education expenses can be a significant burden on some households. By eliminating school contribution fees for girls, the government aims to alleviate some of the financial pressure on families. The goal goes beyond just financial support, as the program also seeks to encourage girls to stay in school and reduce the risk of dropout due to economic difficulties.
The government has planned a compensation mechanism for public schools that will lose revenue due to the elimination of school contribution fees. The amount of compensation will be calculated based on the number of eligible girls and the current school contribution rates. The Ministry of Secondary Education will cover the expenses. An advance on treasury funds is also planned to ensure that schools have the necessary resources from the start of the academic year.
This new policy is part of Benin's efforts to promote girls' education and equality of opportunities between girls and boys. By extending free schooling to all girls in public secondary schools, the government hopes to reduce financial obstacles that may hinder girls' access to education. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector and the country's future.
The implementation of this policy is expected to have a positive impact on families and communities. By reducing the financial burden on households, the government aims to encourage more girls to enroll in school and stay there. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and development.
With this new policy, Benin has taken another step towards achieving its education goals, particularly in promoting girls' education. The government remains committed to ensuring that all girls have access to quality education, and this move is seen as a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Key points
- The government of Benin has extended free schooling to all girls in public secondary schools, starting from the 2026-2027 academic year.
- The exemption from school contribution fees aims to reduce financial obstacles and encourage girls to stay in school.
- The government has planned a compensation mechanism for public schools that will lose revenue due to the elimination of school contribution fees.
