Better Together – A Collaborative Effort for Educational Reform
In a remarkable demonstration of collaboration, civil society organisations implementing the Education Out Loud programme in Benin joined forces to address critical gaps in the country’s education system.
The National Education Coalition in Benin (CBO-EPT) and the DEDRAS-ONG/Social Watch Benin consortium, both Education Out Loud grantees, have used their combined strengths to achieve substantial change that neither could have achieved alone.
Despite the government prioritising education, the sector in Benin grapples with issues such as poor educational outcomes and limited civil society participation in policymaking. In response, civil society is stepping up to ensure that the country still achieves its commitment to SDG4 and makes education for all a reality.
Establishing Community Education Observatories
As part of broader civil society efforts, the National Education Coalition established Community Education Observatories (OCEs) in 2019 to monitor and report on local education issues across 17 communes in Benin. The Education Observatories are designed to track progress and hold local authorities accountable for educational outcomes. With support from Education Out Loud, the coalition worked to revitalise and strengthen them.
“Unfortunately, since Benin has 77 communes, the presence of OCEs in only 17 communes was not enough for us to monitor the performance of public education from the grassroots level across the country and to gather useful data for our advocacy,” says Oke Yenoukoume Vitale, Programme Manager at CBO-EPT.
In addition, there was a lack of coordination among civil society groups, which resulted in various organisations working in isolation. Although opening more observatories across the 77 communes could improve coordination among civil society actors and enhance data collection for evidence-based advocacy, initially CBO-EPT was unable to continue their work due to insufficient funding.
A Strategic Partnership Emerges
However, when DEDRAS-ONG, in consortium with Social Watch Benin, was also awarded an Education Out Loud grant, an unexpected solution was presented. As Education Out Loud aims to foster a culture of peer learning and collaboration, the existing and the new grantee were encouraged to work closely to maximise opportunities for synergy and impact right from the outset.
As Arsène Adiffon, Chairperson of CBO-EPT, reflects:
“To go far, we must go together. Our synergy with DEDRAS-ONG/Social Watch Benin is a powerful example of how coordinated efforts and shared expertise can enhance educational outcomes.”
Indeed, the two Education Out Loud grantees in Benin joined forces and have successfully scaled the Observatory Network nationwide. Together, in 2023 the organisations expanded the model from 17 to all 77 communes and 12 departments of Benin, and included diverse stakeholders – from parent associations and unions to local government and NGOs. This broadened structure now enables more comprehensive data collection, improved monitoring of education systems, and increased citizen engagement.
Leading to tangible Change
Building on this success, the organisations have started collaborations on other main initiatives leading to tangible change. Together, the two organisations have introduced a digital platform for citizen evaluations, creating a vital space for rights-holders and duty-bearers to exchange views. This initiative is further supported by regional and national policy dialogues convened by CBO-EPT, where civil society, government, and education stakeholders jointly review challenges and opportunities for education reform.
The two organisations are also behind a series of capacity-building workshops on advocacy aimed at the local observatories – among other things leading to increased funding for classroom construction, furniture, and tutorial sessions for exam students in Glazoué in the Collines Department of central Benin.
“This collaboration has given us the tools and knowledge to influence local education policy effectively,” says Mr John Olabode, Secretary of the Glazoué Community Education Observatory.
A Stronger, More United Civil Society
The partners CBO-EPT and DEDRAS-ONG/Social Watch Benin reflect that their collaboration has not only driven progress but led to a stronger, more coordinated civil society voice in education. The observatory expansion has improved data quality and accountability, while shared platforms are fostering transparency and inclusivity in education policy.
Their success demonstrates how strategic collaboration can overcome structural limitations and amplify impact.
“The synergy of action with DEDRAS-ONG and Social Watch Benin is not just about coordination — it’s about building a sustainable framework for influencing policy together,” says Hervé Kinha, National Coordinator of CBO-EPT.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Partnership
Currently, the two organisations are engaging new partners — including Education Out Loud grantees APETECTRA NGO/MRJC and the PANAMED coalition — to expand their joint efforts. Plans are underway to formalise their partnership through a cooperation agreement and launch new joint advocacy initiatives at the national level for greater impact.
As Arsène Adiffon puts it:
“We are committed to ensuring that civil society remains a key factor and that they work together to shape education policy and practice.”