Benin's 'school shops' bring relief to parents

A few days ago, Aide et Action launched its school shop initiative in the Atlantic department, in Benin. This initiative consists in making available to school supplies to more than 37,000 pupils in 80 primary schools. The aim is to alleviate the burden on families, which can sometimes be the cause of school dropouts.

Removing some students from the class for lack of school supplies is never easy, explains Agnès Akou Tobossi, headmistress of the Ecole Primaire Publique Adimalé in Benin.

Agnes Okou épouse TOBOSSI Director of EPP Adimale A

However, teachers are forced to resort to this last resort to force some parents to find the minimum school supplies kit for their children at the beginning of the school year. This is why Aide et Action is developing an initiative this year that consists in providing school supplies to more than 37,000 students in 80 primary schools in the Atlantic department. These shops are managed by the school's community structures and a minimum kit is offered at between 29% and 36% of the real market cost. This is a godsend for parents of pupils. 

Learn more and in better conditions

Thanks to this system, we were able to start classes at the beginning of the school year; for once it did not disrupt school time "Monique Adoko, headmistress of the Dagléta Public Primary School, said. 

Monique ADOKO Director EPP Dagleta B

Indeed, the effective start of classes on the right date with all the pupils makes it possible to follow the normal progression of learning and to complete the entire programme by the end of the year. This makes it possible to have the required level of knowledge for each level of student. Composed of notebooks, notebook protectors, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, slates and rulers, the kit distributed allows children to have all the necessary material to follow the lessons without difficulty and thus learn more and in better conditions. The initiative is welcomed by all teachers and parents, especially in these times of crisis.

For Percide Aplogan, a member of the board of the Parents' Association (APE) in charge of women's affairs, the establishment of the school shops has facilitated local purchases at a greatly reduced cost. " I think that next year the enrolment will double in the school. "

Percide APLOGAN member of BAPE in charge of women's affairs

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