11.23.2010

USAID works in close partnership with the Ministry of Preschool and Primary Education (MEMP) to strengthen Benin’s teacher training colleges and improve the teacher supervision system, as well as to reward deserving teachers and schools.

The goal is to promote excellence in teachers and schools. At the end of 2010 academic year, the MEMP and USAID’s Teacher Motivation and Training Project team will award prizes to the best teachers and schools from the 200 schools selected to participate in the first year of the pilot awards program. The principals of these schools will have been trained in using the performance tracking and evaluation tool.

School principals will use this assessment tool to assess teacher performance in class and select the best performers, who will be vetted by a multi-stakeholder committee. This committee will make the final decisions on the teachers to be recognized and rewarded. Schools will also honor teachers whose exceptional leadership and dedication help their students earn good grades. Throughout the school year, a media campaign will stress the importance of education and teachers in fostering the development of the country and its youth.

The launch of the Merit Awards program took place in Porto Novo on November 23, 2010. James Knight, US Ambassador to Benin presided over the ceremony with Jules Yèkpon representing the Minister of Preschool and Primary Education (MEMP). Kevin Armstrong, USAID Mission Director, and Stefan McLetchie, representing the Education Development Center and project leader were also present.