Children"s learning and equity foundations (CLEF) project, Benin, West Africa : phase II -- final report

on Phase II (8/98-7/01) of the Children"s Learning and Equity Foundations (CLEF) Program, aimed at transforming Benin"s primary education sector. A complete overhaul of the primary learning evaluation system took place, stressing skills rather than rote memory. New curricula for all primary school subjects were developed, tested, and implemented or generalized throughout the primary education system. New and innovative teaching methodologies were introduced, and the Primary Leaving Exam (CEP) was totally restructured. These changes resulted in a CEP success rate of over 90% for the school year 1999-2000. Some 21,500 teachers and 100 school inspectors were trained in the use of the new curricula and its teaching methodologies. Textbooks, workbooks, teacher guides, modules, and pedagogical charts were developed, tested, and printed locally for Grades 1-4. Three defunct teacher training colleges were reorganized and reopened, and the one as Natitingou completely renovated. An accelerated language training program was instituted in addition to a revolutionary language training methodology. A National Girls" Education Network was established with the primary objective of increasing equity for girls and children in disadvantaged regions, thus obtaining a sustainable increase in the gross enrollment rate for girls. A complementary monitoring and evaluation system was installed to measure the impact of girls" education on interventions on enrollment, retention, and promotion rates of girls. Other activities included: the financing of grassroots organizations for the implementation of activities that support girls" education; training workshops to enhance skills that improve equity in the classroom; and production of a video on girls" education that is used for community involvement and fundraising. These innovations were deemed directly responsible for a 16.65% increase in Benin"s gross enrollment rate for girls since 1995. At the management level, CLEF worked diligently with the Ministries of Finance (MOF) and of Primary and Secondary Education (MEPS) in assessing areas of institutional weaknesses and in developing systematic programs to correct them. More specifically, CLEF established a fully operational expenditure tracking system at both the central and regional levels of the Ministry of Education (MOE) and trained staff in its usage. CLEF also developed a budgetary procedures manual, step-by-step guides and techniques for financial managers, and trained financial managers in their usage. CLEF also trained: MOE staff, in- country and abroad, to develop local capacity in financial and administrative management; 57 financial managers in the new accounting system used throughout West Africa (SYSCOA); and staff of NGOs involved in girls" education. CLEF also devised various planning tools for forecasting trends on which managers can base their decisions. A study on private schools was produced to assist the Government of Benin (GOB) in its reform of the national school system. CLEF was intimately involved in the establishment of Fundamental Quality Level (FQL) standards for the reform of Benin"s primary education system. Ten FQL norms are now in place for all aspects of the system. In addition, a comprehensive study on the impact of decentralization on the human resources and financial needs in Benin"s education system was completed and a national forum held on the subject in May 2001. The study sought to promote greater and more sustainable stakeholders" participation in Benin"s primary education reform and to identify related MEPS decentralization initiatives and to support their effective implementation. Lastly, CLEF created a fully functional Education Management Information System (EMIS) based on graphic interface that was decentralized to all six regional Directorates of Education (DDE) Departments. The transformation of Benin"s education system occurred as a result of the political will and determination of the GOB, which, renewing its commitment to quality education for the children of Benin, planned and implemented, with USAID and CLEF assistance, a major reform effort that touched every area of the primary education system, though continued TA will be needed to complete the reform process. (Author abstract, modified)