Following a productive working session at the Palais de la Marina led by Romuald Wadagni, Anselme Amoussou, the Secretary General of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Benin (CSA-Bénin), expressed strong optimism regarding the commitments made by the executive branch.

This expanded meeting, which brought together trade union centers and representatives of the Aspiring Teachers (AME), resulted in concrete decisions, establishing crucial professional guarantees that the teaching community has demanded for years.

Welcoming the constructive dialogue and the clear determination shown by the authorities just before the start of the school year, Anselme Amoussou highlighted the significance of these resolutions.

“The collaborative atmosphere during our discussions and the constructive stance taken by the authorities give us confidence that there is genuine political will to finally resolve the situation of these aspiring teachers,” the union leader shared.

Major breakthroughs secured for aspiring teachers

The negotiations secured several decisive advancements to regularize the status of these educators. First, the initial requirement to undergo a new assessment test has been completely discarded. Instead, direct recruitment will be based on qualifications and demonstrated classroom experience, provided the teacher has completed three consecutive contracts.

Furthermore, these professionals will join the public administration under the status of local government contract agents (ACDPCTD). This framework guarantees seamless coordination between sector ministries and local municipalities, while also making it much easier for teachers to access bank loans and other financial services.

On the social front, continuous registration with the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) is fully maintained to prevent any administrative gaps. Additionally, aligning the age limits with standard public service regulations—capped at 35 years for categories C and D, and 40 years for categories A and B—ensures that these agents can complete the 15 years of contributions required to qualify for a retirement pension.

Finally, the established timeline prioritizes the integration of the 2019 cohort, which represents more than half of the total workforce, before gradually expanding the process to subsequent groups.

This social consensus marks the beginning of a gradual exit from job insecurity for thousands of educators, setting the stage for a peaceful and stable school year across Benin.