EDUCATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES IN BENIN: MP Émilie Tibouté’s nuanced plea for underprivileged boys
During the recent Budget Orientation Debate (BOD) for the 2027-2029 period, the Honorable Émilie Tibouté, MP for the Republican Bloc (BR), distinguished herself with a remarkable intervention. While commending the government’s social progress, she advocated for a more inclusive approach to free education, so as not to leave any bright child behind.
The MP first paid tribute to the historic decision made by the Council of Ministers on June 3, 2026: the introduction of completely free public secondary education for all girls starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. While this reform represents a major lever for curbing school dropout rates among girls, Émilie Tibouté nevertheless warned of a risk of unintentional exclusion.
The elected official believes that a strict application of this measure, based solely on gender, could disadvantage boys from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds. Drawing on her experience and observations in the field, she shared a poignant observation with her colleagues: “Those of us who attended public school have witnessed situations where some boys, despite being bright, were expelled because their parents couldn’t afford the tuition. I would therefore suggest that the government also consider these situations, on a case-by-case basis, so that talented individuals who could contribute to our country’s development are not wasted.”
By requesting an expansion of free education “on a case-by-case basis” for the sons of underprivileged families, the MP is bringing the fundamental concept of equal opportunity back to the forefront of the debate, in the face of the state’s budgetary constraints. For the time being, the government has not yet responded to this proposed adjustment.
This statement by the Honorable Émilie Tibouté directly echoes the analysis we published in our issue no. 0754 of Friday, June 5th. Under the title « FREE SCHOOLING FOR GIRLS IN BENIN: Yet Education Has No Gender, » the BBN editorial team already highlighted the limitations of a purely segmented equity.
The MP’s intervention reinforces our view: legally, all citizens are equal. At a time when the entire world is mobilizing to promote gender equality, it seems essential to readjust this decision so that it becomes a true tool for social equity, without distinction of gender.
✍️ By Joseph HOUNKPATIN
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