Bénin teacher integration: Anselme Amoussou praises political will after major progress at the Marina

Following a decisive working session at the Palais de la Marina presided over by Romuald Wadagni, Anselme Amoussou, the Secretary General of the Confédération des syndicats autonomes du Bénin (CSA-Bénin), shared his positive outlook regarding the commitments made by the government.

This extensive meeting, which brought together trade union centers and representatives of the Aspirants au Métier d’Enseignant (AME), resulted in concrete decisions, establishing major professional guarantees for these educators after years of advocacy.

Expressing appreciation for the constructive dialogue and the strong resolve demonstrated by the authorities just before the start of the academic year, Anselme Amoussou highlighted the significance of these agreements.

“The constructive atmosphere of our discussions and the receptive stance of the head of state convince us of a genuine political determination to permanently resolve the situation of AME teachers,” the union leader stated.

Major milestones achieved for AME teachers

The consultations successfully secured several key advancements to regularize the status of these instructors. First, the initial requirement to undergo a new evaluation test has been permanently discarded. Instead, direct recruitment will be based on credentials, taking into account classroom experience and qualifications, provided the candidates have completed three consecutive contracts.

Furthermore, these professionals will join the public administration under the status of Agent contractuel de droit public des collectivités territoriales décentralisées (ACDPCTD). This specific framework ensures a balanced oversight between sector ministries and local municipalities, while significantly facilitating access to bank loans and other financial services.

On the social front, continuous registration with the Caisse nationale de sécurité sociale (CNSS) remains fully guaranteed, preventing any administrative gaps. Additionally, aligning age limits with the civil service guidelines—set at 35 years for categories C and D, and 40 years for categories A and B—ensures that these agents can secure the 15 years of contributions required to qualify for a retirement pension.

Finally, the established timeline prioritizes the integration of the 2019 cohort, which represents over half of the total workforce, before gradually expanding the process to subsequent groups.

This social consensus marks the beginning of a gradual transition away from job insecurity for thousands of educators, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and stable school year across Bénin.