Call for EOIs: Educational Alternatives for Basic Education in Benin

UNICEF Benin is inviting Expressions of Interest to support inclusive and quality basic education, with a focus on out-of-school children, adolescents, and gender equity. The programme emphasizes foundational learning, vocational skills, community engagement, and life skills for girls, aiming to improve education outcomes across eight departments and forty municipalities.

Program Overview

The UNICEF initiative in Benin seeks to strengthen access to quality, inclusive education for all children, particularly those who are out of school or belong to vulnerable groups. Key objectives include:

• Improving school readiness and foundational skills in primary and lower secondary education

• Expanding alternative education options for out-of-school children

• Promoting gender equity and empowering adolescent girls

• Supporting community participation and engagement in education

• Enhancing coordination, planning, and monitoring capacities at local and national levels

This initiative aligns with the National Intersectoral Program for the Acceleration of Girls’ Education and Well-being adopted in July 2024.

Focus Areas

Inclusive and Quality Education

• Enhance learning opportunities for children with disabilities, minority groups, and children in emergency situations

• Promote foundational skills acquisition in literacy, numeracy, and life skills

• Improve school completion rates, especially in northern departments like Alibori, Atacora, Borgou, and Donga

Alternative and Parallel Education

• Expand education for out-of-school children through parallel education programs

• Develop vocational and entrepreneurship skills linked to partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises

• Support cash transfers to vulnerable families to incentivize girls’ education

Gender Equity and Life Skills

• Empower adolescent girls to participate in decision-making about their education

• Provide life skills training to enhance wellbeing and school retention

• Address gender disparities in secondary education completion rates

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Strengthen collaboration with civil society, local government, and community leaders

• Enhance planning, monitoring, and evaluation capacities for inclusive education programs

• Promote community involvement in school activities and education planning

Context and Need

• Benin has tripled primary school enrollment over the past three decades, yet completion rates remain low at 64.9% (2023)

• Northern departments experience particularly low school retention

• In 2017, over 1.9 million children were out of school, with northern regions accounting for more than half of this population

• Gender disparities persist, particularly in secondary education, requiring targeted interventions

Who is Eligible?

• Civil society organizations, NGOs, and education-focused institutions active in Benin

• Organizations capable of implementing programs in partnership with local government, community leaders, and SMEs

• Applicants must demonstrate experience in inclusive education, gender equity, or out-of-school learning initiatives

How to Apply

1. Submit Expression of Interest (EOI): Include organizational profile, experience, and proposed activities

2. Define Target Groups: Specify which children and adolescents will benefit, with focus on girls, children with disabilities, and out-of-school populations

3. Outline Implementation Plan: Detail how activities will be carried out across departments and municipalities

4. Provide Monitoring Framework: Include plans for tracking progress, evaluating impact, and reporting outcomes

5. Demonstrate Partnerships: Highlight collaborations with government agencies, community leaders, civil society, and SMEs

Program Benefits

• Strengthened educational access and quality for vulnerable children

• Increased opportunities for girls’ empowerment and participation

• Development of vocational and entrepreneurship skills for adolescents

• Enhanced community engagement and local capacity for sustainable education outcomes

• Support for innovative alternative and parallel education models

FAQs

1. Who can apply for this UNICEF programme?

Civil society organizations, NGOs, and institutions with experience in inclusive or alternative education in Benin.

2. What age groups does the program target?

Primary and lower secondary school children, out-of-school children, and adolescents, with special focus on girls.

3. Are cash transfers part of the program?

Yes, cash transfers are provided to vulnerable families to support girls’ education.

4. Which regions are prioritized?

Eight departments and forty municipalities, with emphasis on northern departments including Alibori, Atacora, Borgou, and Donga.

5. What types of interventions are supported?

School readiness programs, foundational skills development, vocational training, alternative education, life skills for adolescents, and inclusive teaching methods.

6. How does the program promote gender equity?

Through life skills training for adolescent girls, school retention support, and initiatives empowering girls to participate in decision-making processes.

7. How will organizations be evaluated?

Based on experience in inclusive education, capacity to implement interventions, relevance of target groups, and proposed monitoring and evaluation framework.

Conclusion

This UNICEF initiative in Benin addresses critical education gaps, focusing on out-of-school children, adolescents, and gender equity. By supporting inclusive education, alternative learning pathways, and community engagement, the programme aims to improve educational outcomes and foster long-term social and economic development across vulnerable regions.