Benin: Democrats make a recommendation on the advantages granted to AME

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Advantages have been granted to aspiring teachers (AME), and the government announced this during the extraordinary council of ministers on Monday, March 18, 2024. The opposition, represented by The Democrats, expressed their views on this government initiative in favor of AME, and even made a recommendation.

It was during the first regular session of its National Coordination, held on Tuesday, March 19, that the party led by former president Boni Yayi spoke out on the matter.

The National Coordination firmly noted significant progress during the last regular session, especially regarding AME. Following multiple interpellations by the members of the parliamentary group “The Democrats,” the adoption of a resolution at the Parakou Congress on October 14 and 15, 2023, as well as meetings with AME organizations organized by the party’s President, the government finally agreed to respond to some of the demands of our fellow citizens who have been marginalized for too long.

As a recommendation, the National Coordination of the party The Democrats insists that the measures taken by the government be implemented quickly.

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The point of the measures in favor of AME

The new measures announced to improve the situation of AME, in the council of ministers, are as follows:

• – The duration of support for the remuneration of AME is extended to twelve months instead of eleven starting from this school year, thus ensuring increased financial stability for these professionals in training.
• – They will benefit from health insurance in accordance with the provisions for civil servants.

Another significant advancement for AME is the institution of maternity leave for women. In addition, an engagement bonus for national interest service of 20,000 CFA francs per month per AME will be granted starting from March 2024, thus recognizing their contribution to national education.

An important measure for their family well-being is the exemption of tuition fees for the children of AME, as is the case for civil servant and contractual teachers of the State.

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According to the minutes of the council of ministers, these benefits represent an annual financial commitment of over 10 billion CFA francs for the national budget, excluding health insurance and exemption from tuition fees. In addition, the government has taken into account various calls for the reinstatement of the 175 AME who were suspended in 2021 for the demobilization of their colleagues or absence from the post during strikes.