The Ministry of Maternal and Primary Education (Ministère des Enseignements Maternel et Primaire) is responsible for preschool (maternelle) and primary education (enseignement primaire). The Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education (Ministère des Enseignements Secondaire, Technique et de la Formation Professionnelle) is responsible for general secondary education (enseignement secondaire général). The National Education Council (Conseil National de l'Éducation) coordinates the education system at the highest level. The state and municipalities finance public schools; private formal schools are subject to state oversight. Preschool lasts two years. The law allows it from the age of two and a half, but fewer than 20 percent of children reach preschool. The six-year primary school is divided into CI, CP, CE1, CE2, CM1 and CM2. French is the statutory language of instruction; English or a local language may also be used. Subjects include French, mathematics, science and technology, social education, arts and physical education. Primary school is compulsory, and it ends with the Primary Studies Certificate (Certificat d'Études Primaires), known as the CEP. General secondary education consists of a first cycle of four years and a second cycle of three years. A general education college (collège d'enseignement général, CEG) may offer the first cycle or both cycles; an upper secondary school (lycée) offers the first and second cycles and may have a boarding facility. The first cycle ends with the Lower Secondary Education Certificate (Brevet d'Études du Premier Cycle, BEPC), and the second with the Baccalaureate (Baccalauréat). Progression from the CEP to the first secondary cycle depends on primary-school completion and available places. For the second cycle, previous class performance and the institution's capacity also count. The Baccalaureate may open access to tertiary education; vocational training and language learning are not part of the school sector itself. A school year set by law comprises 36 weeks and three terms. For 2025/26, the national calendar set teaching from 15 September 2025 to 26 June 2026. Individual adjustments may occur locally; the full calendar for 2026/27 still needs to be checked. The state fee-free schooling policy (Gratuité) for preschool and primary school lowers direct school fees but does not eliminate all expenses. Families may still have to pay for school supplies (fournitures), uniforms, transport, food and other materials. Public school kits (Kits scolaires) and school canteens (cantines scolaires) provide support in some cases. Private fees vary by institution. Admission is not automatically guaranteed because capacity is limited, so fees, required documents and catchment areas should be checked directly with the school. Access remains unequal across regions. In the north and in rural areas, distances lengthen the journey to school; poverty, direct and opportunity costs, missing materials, teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and water, sanitation and electricity problems make attendance more difficult. UNICEF data indicate that about one third of children remain out of school. Around 65 percent complete primary school, and about one quarter still lack sufficient skills at the end of primary school. Girls in the north are especially likely to fall behind; early marriage and pregnancy are among the documented barriers. The right to education also applies to children and young people with disabilities. Public mainstream schools are supposed to be free and inclusive and must not deny access because of a disability. Reasonable adjustments, assistance, appropriate support, additional examination time and special provision for learners with visual or hearing impairments may be necessary. Nationwide coverage and actual provision remain uneven, however. Accessible digital learning materials and recommendations for better-trained teachers are intended to reduce these gaps. Students are expected to attend regularly, follow school rules and respect the community. Parents have the right to information and participation in school life and administration. Scholarships or social assistance may be awarded according to academic and social criteria and available funds. School kits, school canteens, digital school services and community school-development plans support attendance, but they do not reach every institution equally. It was decided that, for public general secondary schools and technical education, school fees for all girls will be free nationwide from the 2026/27 school year. The available information does not yet clarify all other charges or implementation details; private schools and boys are not automatically covered by this commitment. The national programme (PNAEBF) is intended over five years to improve school access and retention, especially for girls at risk. FAABA combines cash transfers with a supportive protection environment for girls aged nine to fifteen.
School in Benin
The formal school system in Benin comprises two years of preschool, six years of primary education and seven years of general secondary education. Primary school officially begins at age six and leads to the Primary Studies Certificate; the first secondary cycle ends with the BEPC and the second with the Baccalaureate. Public schools reduce families' basic costs, but materials, clothing, transport, food and lost income can still make attendance difficult.
Tip
Plan schooling in Benin around more than the school fee: consider places, travel distance, materials, clothing, food and available support. Clarify every transition early because admission depends on capacity and public and private schools have different costs and access conditions. For girls, long journeys or a disability, check additional requirements directly with the school before enrolment.