Pamoja Benin (RéNOPAL)
Reflect in Benin
The arrival of Reflect in Benin is fairly recent. In cooperation with the National Network for Private Literacy Providers (le Réseau National des Opérateurs Privés en Alphabétisation - RéNOPAL), dvv International and Action Aid organised a Reflect Training of Trainers in June 2009 (Down load the report in French). Following the training it was decdied that ReNOPAL would fulfll the role of Pamoja Benin. RéNOPAL was regitered in January 2009. In 2010 it had 90 members, of which 88 were NGOs and 2 were research companies. Supported by the Swiss Development Office, activities focus on strngthening member organisations and advocacy for better youth and adult education.
Following the TOT Aide et Action and Helvetas supported the setting up of 35 Reflect circles. In December 2010 a study of the impact of the Reflect TOT found that seven organisations had been able to experiment with Reflect at community level but there had been considerable difficulty in financing the action plan that was made at the end of the training. (Down load this study in French)
In terms of Advocacy
RéNOPAL organises action to encourage the effective implementation of the "faire-faire" policy, with the following results:- In November 2010 the Ministry responsibe for literacy announced in a televison broadcast that preparation was underway for a workshop to validate the strategic plan to implement the "faire-faire" strategy.
- The call for proposals for literacy providers to participate in faire-faire implementation was launched by the Ministry. ReNOPAL alerted all members to encourage them to apply, since this was the second attempt at such a call.
- 70% of the organisationa sending in proposals were members of ReNOPAL.
RéNOPAL is building its capapcity to work with and monitor budgets throguh participation in a number of workshops. One organised by Pamoja West Africa and two by the EFT Coalition, one on the process of writng commune budgets and the other on reading and interpreting the overall state budget.
Literacy Policy and Funding
With its Ministry for Literacy and Culture established in 1980, Benin adopted its policy document National Literacy and Adult Education in March 2001 with broad involvement of stakeholders. The government also developed the ten year plan for the Development of the Education Sector in 2006. In spite of this results are mixed.
In February 2007 the national forum had made a recommendation for 3% of the national education budget to be allocated to literacy, but in practice this recommendation not been implemented (allocation reamins below 1% of the educational budget) and worse, the country has experienced huge problems in the use of funds allocated by partners.
Benin has received funding from the African Development Bank, UNICEF and now is one of the countries supported by the FTI (Fast Tract Initiative) and LIFE (Literacy for Empowerment Initiative. Despite this support it is difficult to trace clearly the impact of adult education and youth development in the country.
