Embassy of the United States Cotonou, Benin

THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF BENIN REPUBLIC

The Republic of Benin operates on a 6-4-3-4 system: Primary School-----------6 years

Junior High School------4 years

Senior High School------3 Years

Bachelor degree--------3 years

Master degree----------4 Years

Languages: The official language spoken in Benin is French. It is the language of instruction, However since the advent of Democracy in1990 the English language has been  breaking grounds and American English has come to be the modal of English that students, teachers and businessman and women are striving identify with. Thank to the relentless efforts of their predecessors, the current Ambassador. He honorable Gayleatha Brown and the current PAO Shirley Lisenby have given a strong impetus to the new trend and drive for American English, through their support for the educational system of Benin which translate into the introduction of English into Primary schools and the promotion of a learner- centered teaching approach.

Education is compulsory for children aged between six and eleven. After spending two to three in Kindergarten, it takes six years for them to complete and take the Primary school certificate. Overall it requires seven years to complete both Junior and Senior High School. At the end of the four first years of Junior High school, the students has to take the  O-level ( Brevet d’Etudes du Premier Cycle: BEPC), Then after three years the students have to take the A level ( Baccalaureat: BAC ) exam which is the equivalent of the US High School Degree. There are  five vocational schools , located in five of the twelve provinces  Atlantique littoral ( City of Cotonou), Oueme Plateau ( city of Porto-Novo), Zou Colline ( city of Bohicon) Borgou ( city of Parakou).Mono Couffo, Atakora, Donga, Alibori.

Senior High School:  At the end of the Grade 13, Benin students have to take the Baccalaureat to open the door of university studies. 

Grading System:
The Grading scale: From 0 ( zero) to 20  with 20 being the highest grade.
Passing Grade: 10
Fairly Good Grade: 12
 Good Grade: 14- 15
Very Good Grade:16- 17
Excellent:18 to 20

Cotonou

High School of Gbegamey
High School of St Rita
High School of Dantokpa
High School of Akpakpa

Porto-Novo

High School of Lokossa
High School of Houffon
High School of Mathieu Bouquet (Borgou)
High School of CEG1 Natitingou (Atakora) 
High School of Djougou (Donga)

The university of Benin maintains ten branches;  The Campus of Abomey Calavi The Faculty of Economics and Management (FASEG) – The Faculty of Law and Political Science ( FADESP) – The Faculty of Arts and Social Science ( FLASH) --- The Faculty of Science and Technology ( FAST)- The Faculty of Health Science ( FSS)-- The University of Parakou ( UNIPAR)- The School of Applied Economics and Management ( ENEAM)- The National School of Administration and Prosecutor Training- ( ENAM) The Poly Technical School of Abomey Calavi ( EPAC) The Teachers’ Training School of Porto- Novo ( ENS )- The Institute of Mathematics and Physics ( IMSP) – The Faculty Agricultural Science ( FSA); Each branch is headed by a President of University

Some private higher institutions are also accredited by the Ministry of National Education. Altogether 94 higher institutions are accredited.

Grading Scale: 10- 12 Passing Grading