Education in Benin

[6] The overall adult literacy rate is 42.4 percent (2018),[6] significantly lower than in neighbors Togo (63.7%) and Nigeria (62%).

[10] Gender balance and geographic equity have shown significant improvements in gross numbers of girls and children from disadvantaged areas attending primary schools.

[10] The Republic of Benin operates on a 6-4-3-3-4 system:[11] Education is compulsory for children between ages six and eleven.

[11] At the end of the four first years of junior high school, the students have to take the O-level (Brevet d’Etudes du Premier Cycle: BEPC).

After three years the students have to take the A level (Baccalauréat: BAC) exam which is the equivalent of the U.S. high school diploma.

Cotonou:[11] Porto-Novo:[11] High School of Application:[11] The government has devoted more than 4% of GDP to education since 2009.

[12] Between 2009 and 2011, the share of young people enrolled at university rose from 10% to 12% of the 18-25 age cohort, one of the highest ratios in West Africa.