Launched in April 2026 in Abidjan, the Pleins Feux project represents a bold step in Côte d’Ivoire’s educational transformation, spearheaded by President Alassane Ouattara. Supported by international partners, this initiative aims to refine the governance of the country’s education system and enhance the effectiveness of public policies to sustainably elevate learning standards.
With a population exceeding 30 million and a predominantly young demographic, Côte d’Ivoire faces growing pressure on its education sector, particularly in rural areas. Education has become a cornerstone of President Alassane Ouattara’s agenda, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the 2030 Agenda. For over a decade, Ivorian authorities have implemented sweeping reforms to expand access and improve the quality of education nationwide.
Recruiting educators, building schools, and connecting rural areas
Since 2011, Côte d’Ivoire has significantly increased its teaching workforce, with over 69,000 new primary school teachers and more than 30,000 secondary school educators recruited. Recent efforts have prioritized scientific disciplines, with 1,800 additional teachers deployed in mathematics and physics to meet labor market demands and support the country’s economic transformation goals.
Simultaneously, investments in school infrastructure have surged, particularly in rural regions, to bring education closer to students, reduce travel distances, and minimize early school dropout rates. New facilities have been established across the nation, broadening educational access and coverage.
The opening of the CAFOP in Boundiali, located in northern Côte d’Ivoire, exemplifies this commitment. The center has seen overwhelming participation, with nearly 68,000 candidates competing for approximately 7,000 available spots in 2026—a clear indicator of the structured effort to strengthen teacher training and renewal.
Fostering inclusion and improving school environments
Enhancing teaching conditions has emerged as a pivotal lever in Côte d’Ivoire’s education policy. Between 2011 and 2025, starting salaries for primary school teachers rose by over 30%, while secondary school educators saw increases of up to 15%. These adjustments have bolstered the profession’s appeal and helped stabilize teaching teams.
The focus on inclusive education has also intensified. The introduction of specialized educational materials for students with disabilities marks a significant stride toward a more accessible school system. Complementary measures include prevention campaigns targeting school-related issues, such as teenage pregnancies, to reduce dropout rates and ensure students remain in the education system.
‘Pleins Feux’: optimizing education system governance
Unveiled in Abidjan on April 12, 2026, the Pleins Feux project builds on existing reforms by emphasizing the governance and efficiency of public policy implementation. Unlike infrastructure or staffing initiatives, this program targets the management and execution of educational strategies.
Developed in collaboration with UNESCO, the African Union, and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM), the initiative stems from two years of collaborative work in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Its goal is to empower policymakers and educational leaders with the tools and skills needed to drive tangible improvements in student outcomes.
This approach coincides with international recognition of Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in foundational learning. The Ivorian authorities continue to advance their strategy by leveraging diverse partnerships—international, regional, and private—to support the ongoing transformation of the education system.
