Côte d’Ivoire boosts education with ‘Pleins Feux’ initiative

The “Pleins Feux” initiative, unveiled in Abidjan in April 2026, embodies the ongoing transformation of Ivory Coast’s educational landscape under President Alassane Ouattara. Backed by international partners, this project aims to streamline the management of the education system while enhancing the effectiveness of public policies to ensure sustainable improvements in learning outcomes.

Ivory Coast faces growing educational demands, with over 30 million inhabitants and a predominantly young population. Each year, hundreds of thousands more students enroll, placing immense pressure on the system—particularly in rural areas. Education has become a cornerstone of President Ouattara’s agenda, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and the 2030 Agenda. For more than a decade, the government has implemented sweeping reforms to expand access and elevate teaching quality.

Expanding access: recruiting educators and building schools

President Ouattara’s administration has prioritized education, with notable strides in teacher recruitment and school infrastructure. Since 2011, more than 69,000 primary school teachers and over 30,000 secondary educators have been hired. Recent efforts have targeted STEM fields, deploying an additional 1,800 teachers in mathematics and physics to meet labor market demands and support the country’s economic transformation goals.

The push for better educational access extends to rural regions, where new schools are being built to reduce travel distances and minimize dropout rates. A prime example is the Boundiali CAFOP in northern Ivory Coast, which reflects this commitment. The center has seen overwhelming demand, with nearly 68,000 candidates vying for just 7,000 spots in 2026—a clear indicator of the structured effort to strengthen teacher training and retention.

Creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment

Improving educational quality goes beyond infrastructure and recruitment. Since 2011, entry-level teacher salaries in primary schools have risen by over 30%, while secondary school salaries increased by up to 15%. These adjustments enhance the profession’s appeal and help stabilize teaching staff.

The government has also prioritized inclusivity, introducing adaptive learning materials for students with disabilities. Safety and well-being are equally critical, with campaigns targeting school-related pregnancies to prevent disruptions in students’ academic journeys. These measures reinforce Ivory Coast’s dedication to fostering an equitable and secure educational environment.

‘Pleins Feux’: a governance-driven approach to education reform

The “Pleins Feux” initiative, launched in Abidjan in April 2026, shifts the focus from infrastructure to governance, aiming to refine the implementation of public education policies. Developed alongside partners like UNESCO, the African Union, and the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM), the program builds on two years of collaborative work in Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Ethiopia.

The project targets decision-makers and educational supervisors, equipping them with tools to drive tangible improvements in learning outcomes. International partners have praised Ivory Coast’s progress in foundational learning, and the government continues to leverage diverse partnerships—global, regional, and private—to sustain its educational transformation journey.