Benin education minister armand kuyema natta outlines new priorities

The newly appointed Benin Minister of Pre-Primary and Primary Education, Armand Kuyema Natta, launched an official tour on July 29, 2026, to engage with education sector leaders in the Ouémé and Plateau departments. This maiden voyage marks his first field mission since taking office, designed to assess local needs and align priorities around educational reform.

Strengthening foundations and driving innovation in Benin’s schools

Accompanied by Minister-Counsellor Paulin Gbenou, Armand Kuyema Natta met with departmental directors, technical and central management teams, and heads of institutions under his ministry’s supervision. Discussions centered on service efficiency and the most pressing challenges faced by early childhood and primary education stakeholders.

In front of his leadership team, the minister outlined a dual strategy: ‘safeguarding past gains while pioneering new solutions’. He urged staff to build on recent academic progress—highlighting the strong 2026 Primary School Certificate (CEP) results—and simultaneously introduce innovative measures to elevate the entire education system. Embracing a servant-leader tone, he emphasized continuous dialogue with field-level management to ensure responsive policy implementation.

Addressing critical shortages in human and digital resources

During consultations, education officials raised urgent concerns. They called for increased teacher recruitment, enhanced pre-service and in-service training programs, and expanded access to IT equipment for central and technical departments. These measures are seen as essential to sustaining and improving educational outcomes nationwide.

Relocation of ministry services to the Ahossougbéta administrative city was also discussed. While Armand Kuyema Natta confirmed government commitment to expedite this transition, he did not share specific timelines or operational details.

Next stop: Atlantic and Littoral departments

The minister’s working tour continues on July 30, 2026, with visits to the Atlantic and Littoral departments. These stops aim to deepen engagement with regional stakeholders and gather firsthand insights into local operational realities in the education sector.