Benin

FY 2001 Program Description and Activity Data Sheets

>> Regional Overview >> Benin Overview

FY 2001 Program USAID's program for 2001 will continue to support Benin's development efforts through three mutually reinforcing objectives. In the education sector USAID will continue to assist the expansion of the Ministry of Education's primary education reform program, emphasizing improved pedagogical approaches and learning materials. USAID will finance activities to increase girls' enrollment in school and to improve geographic equity in primary education. USAID will assist the MOE to improve its financial management and improve the ministry's capacity to plan and manage effective education programs. The program will encourage local government and community involvement in education. In the health sector USAID will increase demand and availability of family planning, maternal and child health, and sexually transmitted infections/HIV preventive services in the Borgou region in rural northern Benin where health conditions are the worst. The program will be complemented by a national program aimed at selected health interventions in HIV/AIDS and in health policy reform that will enable more effective implementation of health programs at the regional level. To improve governance, public accountability, and the environment for civil society participation in decision making, USAID will continue to provide technical and managerial assistance for electoral reform, strengthening the legislature and civil society organizations at the national and regional levels, and reinforcing the national audit institutions. Furthermore, to encourage private and local initiatives and community participation in local revenue generation, USAID will finance small-scale credit and the development of small-scale technologies. P.L. 480 Title II resources, distributed through Catholic Relief Services, reach all six regions of Benin and contribute directly to supporting activities that are integral to achieving results in USAID's education, health and democracy programs. This program addresses household food security issues. The integrated approach facilitates access to essential foods, quality education, and revenue making it possible for villagers to afford education and health costs and to contribute financially to community development activities. [an error occurred while processing this directive] ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Benin TITLE AND NUMBER: More Children Receive, on an Equitable Basis, a Basic Education Which Prepares Them for Productive Roles in Society, 680-001 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $5,733,000 (CSD) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $5,733,000 (CSD) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003 Summary: USAID began supporting primary education reform in 1991, as the government began following upon on the nationwide review of the education system. During the Education Round Table held in May 1997, the Government of Benin reconfirmed its commitment to primary education reform with an added emphasis on community participation and equity, particularly for girls. As a result of this effort, the gross enrollment rate (GER) has increased to 77% in 1999 compared to 57% in 1991. However, a wide enrollment gap still exists between girls and boys. Current enrollment rates stand at 61% and 91% for girls and boys, respectively. The primary school leaving exam pass rate increased in 1999 to 69% from 70% in 1997; however, the completion rate still remains very low. Although the Ministry of Education (MOE) has made some effort to be less centralized, it continues to suffer from organizational inefficiencies. The MOE is only able to spend 30-40% of its non-salary recurrent expense budget for education. Moreover, public officials are poorly trained, underpaid and not easily held accountable for their actions. This limits the educational impact that could be attained and suggest that there is deficiency in governance. Civil interest groups are not yet adequately involved in the education reform process. In response to these problems, USAID's education activity continues to provide quality basic education on an equitable and expanded basis. Technical assistance and training is provided to: help the Ministries of Education and Finance establish and maintain sufficient financing for primary education; improve the institutional capacity of education planning; upgrade systems to provide quality teaching and learning environment; increase equity of access to a quality education; and promote widespread public participation. The immediate beneficiary of this program is the primary school student population currently estimated at 870,000 nationwide. Another group of 10,000 primary school dropouts will also benefit from USAID assistance. Intermediate beneficiaries are the MOE, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), teachers, parents, NGOs and PVOs. This program addresses the U.S. strategic goal of economic development and aids the Mission Performance Plan to "contribute to the achievement of a strengthened human resource base, specifically through equitable access to primary education, technical training, and other programs." It also supports USAID's agency objective of human capacity built through education and training. Key Results: Success in the education activity requires: (1) Improved key pedagogical systems and inputs for delivery of a quality basic education with the Fundamental Quality Level (FQL) priority norms used as a planning tool to deliver a quality basic education; (2) Increased equity of access to primary schools, including improved geographic and gender equity; (3) Maintained adequate financing for primary education, representing more than 50% of the National Education budget; (4) Increased civil and government participation in basic education; and (5) Improved institutional capacity for educational planning, management and accountability. During this reporting period the increase in enrollment rates exceeded the planned targets, due in part to USAID financed activities, along with the support of other donors and parents' encouragement to send their children to school. USAID financed training for teachers to improve their teaching skills and their use of improved school curricula. Additionally, USAID technical support to the newly formed Network for Promotion of Girls' Education and awareness raising activities on the benefits of sending girls to school yielded positive results. Also key to this success is the commitment of MOE to set and apply Fundamental Quality Level (FQL) norms for primary schools, related to the quantity and quality of school infrastructures, teachers and pedagogical materials. USAID's financing of teacher training and the revision of the primary school curricula helped to boost up the primary school leaving pass rate. The support and encouragement of parents is evident by the increase in the number of associations actively involved in school activities. In 1999 the number increased from 200 to 1000. By 2003, USAID expects that this figure will reach approximately 2000, covering nearly 50% of the all primary schools in Benin. Performance and Prospects: During this past year, USAID continued its focus on the ten FQL priority norms deemed essential for greater efficiency within the primary education system and improved results in the classroom. USAID is the major supporter of the MOE's primary education reform program, which is moving from an experimental phase to a expansion phase throughout the country. USAID has provided technical assistance and financial support for the development of improved primary education curricula and new textbooks, the revision of teaching materials, and the training of teachers in improved pedagogical methods and the utilization of new curricula. The expansion phase of the reform program began in 4,500 primary schools with 250,000 first graders. A total of 9,000 primary schoolteachers and school directors have been trained in the techniques of the new program. Textbook production and distribution, jointly financed by USAID and the GOB, have been undertaken. The FQL norm of one book per two children has been met for first graders. The reform program will be extended to successive grades over the next five years, one grade per year. The next phase will include teaching training and the production of textbooks targeting second graders. Complementary to the reform program, approximately 100,000 school children increased their knowledge of basic hygiene and health measures. USAID financed skills training to primary school dropouts and leavers; this activity will be expanded to reach another 10,000 students. USAID continues to support environmental education in schools through the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program, which has now expanded to 75 schools. The program will continue to expand with approximately 40 new teachers trained per year. USAID will maintain its support to the Network for the Promotion of Girls Education, which has begun working with international and local NGOs, and community groups to increase further girls' enrollment and retention rates. USAID's continued technical support will aid the network as it becomes a key player in addressing gender issues within the classroom and the community especially in egards to textbooks, pedagogical materials and teacher training. Technical assistance and training to the MOE and the MOF has improved management performance, resource allocation, internal control procedures, and accountability. The MOE and MOF with USAID's assistance have improved the budget expenditure tracking system. However, management and accounting have not yet reached acceptable standards and remain major obstacles in the effective utilization of MOE primary education budget resources, which accounts for 50% of the national education budget. Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID will continue to assist the MOE increase internal efficiency and ensure that the new reform program is effective in the classrooms. Recognizing the tremendous advances already made in increasing girls' enrollment, USAID will revise its targets to reflect the current situation. USAID will work with education authorities and other donors to ensure that the students who pass the primary leaving exam under the new program experience a smooth transition to secondary school. Other Donor Programs: The World Bank supports on-the-job teacher training, the provision of pedagogical materials, financial tracking and accountability, and school construction. France provides assistance in secondary and higher education. The European Union's assistance contributes to school construction and technical training. Japan and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries finances major primary education school construction projects. The African Development Bank is becoming a key partner as it prepares itself to play a more active role in girls' education, training, and infrastructure construction. Other multilateral organizations and international NGOs also contribute to Benin's primary education reform. The GOB's support to primary education covers logistical and financial resources for a wide variety of education-related activities such as administrative and pedagogical support, construction of classrooms and recurrent costs. Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current contractors and grantees include: The Mitchell Group, Inc.; World Education, Inc.; Medical Care Development International; International Foundation for Education and Self-Help; and the Songhai Center. Other partners include the MOE, the MOF, and local NGOs and associations. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1997) Baseline (1998) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Gross Enrollment Rate 73% 76% 77% 79% 80% Percent of Girls/Total 37% 38% 43% 45% 48% Primary School Leaving Exam Pass Rate 70% 67% 70% 72% 75% Primary School Leaving Exam Pass Rate (new program) N/A 93% 75% 77% 78% This is an index score on a 0 to 100 scale derived from five survey questions. This indicator is a composite of three independent measures: participation in municipal government meetings, submission of a request to the municipal government, and presentation of complaints to the vigilance committee. During 1999, the new Code of Criminal Procedures was approved and enacted, which would be the baseline for this indicator. For an effective implementation of the CCP, additional and complementary legislation is needed, including a new Judicial Branch Law, Public Ministry Law, and National Police Law. It is expected that in the Year 2000, at least two laws will be drafted and presented to Congress. By the end of 2001, at least two laws will be enacted, and two additional laws will be drafted. U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Benin TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased Use of Family Health Services and Preventive Measures in a Supportive Policy Environment, 680-002 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: : $4,325,000 (CSD), $2,500,000 (DA), $3,590,000 (P.L. 480 Title II) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $4,294,000 (CSD), $2,750,000 (DFA), $4,245,000 (P.L. 480 Title II) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003 Summary: In 1998, USAID established a program to increase the use of preventive health measures and family health services. This program was established in response to a number of studies and analyses carried out between 1993-1997, including the first national Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), conducted in 1996. These studies revealed that the average woman gives birth to 6.3 children over the course of her childbearing years and that only 3.4% of women in union use modern contraception. Maternal mortality rates were estimated at more than 500 maternal deaths per 100,000 births. According to the DHS, 167 of every 1,000 children born in Benin die before the age of five, and major causes of child morbidity and mortality are malaria, diarrhea and acute respiratory infections. The HIV/AIDS rate has been steadily rising in Benin, with HIV prevalence growing from 0.5% in 1990 to nearly 4% in 1999. A number of rural towns have been hit much harder than urban areas by HIV, with prevalence rates as high as 14%. Most of USAID's activities under in the health sector are geographically focused in the Borgou region, a rural area in Northern Benin. The health statistics in this area are worse than the national average and access and quality of health care services are extremely poor. USAID also works on a national level with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to address the lack of policies and guidelines on key family health issues, weak management and planning systems, and the fragile partnership between the public and private sectors. This program directly contributes to the achievement of the Mission Performance Plan goals in health and population. It also supports USAID' agency objective of world's population stabilized and human health protected. Direct beneficiaries of USAID's program are children up to age five, women of childbearing age, and groups at risk of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Indirect beneficiaries include communities, particularly in the Borgou region. Key Results: Success in the health activity requires: (1) improving the policy environment; (2) increasing access to family health services and products; (3) improving the quality of health management systems and services; and (4) increasing the demand for, and practices supporting the use of family health services, products and prevention measures. Results achieved in 1999 include: the MOH's adoption of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), a new approach to children's health care; the introduction of a revised reproductive health curriculum at the nurse/midwife training school; 1999 sales of approximately 6 million condoms by 5,939 sales outlets; and the sales of roughly 31,000 units of oral contraceptives. A baseline assessment was recently conducted that will allow USAID to establish baselines and targets for activities in the Borgou region. Performance and Prospects: USAID, working in collaboration with the public sector in the Borgou region, funded activities to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the health system. These activities are geared to increase community involvement in the planning and delivery of health services, improve systems such as personnel, supervision, pharmaceutical and contraceptive logistics, and data collection and reporting. This has resulted in improved local and regional capacity for planning and managing health care. Other activities carried out in the Borgou region include the development of nutrition education materials used by health agents; the promotion of micronutrient supplementation; and an environmental health activity that reduces the environmental risks related to diarrheal disease. In FY2000, USAID will support the establishment of national guidelines and to train Borgou health workers in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach. Additionally, USAID will provide technical assistance and training to public and private health workers (midwives, traditional birth attendants and community health agents) to provide quality family planning services. Knowledge and use of modern contraception in the Borgou region is significantly lower than in other parts of the country. USAID's nation-wide social marketing program offers a range of affordable, high-quality family health products including condoms, oral contraceptives, oral rehydration salts (ORS), and insecticide-treated bednets. Injectable contraceptives will be introduced in early 2000. Sales and distribution networks for socially marketed products continue to grow steadily. Yearly condom sales have skyrocketed from 355,000 in 1990 to 3.5 million in 1998 to nearly 6 million in 1999. In addition, the promotion of insecticide-treated bednets, which started in three pilot zones last year, has recently been expanded to the national level and kits for chemically retreating the bednets will soon be available throughout the country. Unfortunately, ORS sales have not met expectations due to resistance in the MOH to raise the price of the product, which has kept it off the market. At the national level, USAID continues to support the network of health non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Benin, focusing on increasing their ability to advocate on reproductive health issues and improving their relationship with the public sector. USAID financed new reproductive health course material used in training schools for nurses and midwives. This is an achievement that should have a strong, positive impact on the quality of future reproductive health services. USAID is supporting HIV/AIDS prevention activities through the family health program in the Borgou region. However, since HIV/AIDS is not isolated to one region of Benin and HIV prevalence rates are highest in regions outside of the Borgou region. USAID is supporting HIV/AIDS education interventions throughout the country, in order to increase awareness and promote safe behaviors nationwide. Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID is currently developing an AIDS prevention strategy, which will result in the implementation of national-level AIDS prevention activities. Other Donor Programs: Over 87% of the public investment budget for the Ministry of Health (MOH) in 1998 was financed by external sources. USAID's assistance in 1998 represented 28% of the total donor assistance in the health sector. The United Nations Population Fund supports family planning service delivery in the public sector and the International Planned Parenthood Federation plays a parallel role in the private sector. The World Health Organization and UNICEF support the national immunization program. The UN agencies, coordinated through UNAIDS, work closely with USAID on issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention and offer technical assistance to the National AIDS Control Program. Germany and Switzerland are major health sector donors in the Borgou region, with Germany implementing a community-based primary health care program and the Swiss providing infrastructure and management support at the regional level. The World Bank supports the MOH in implementing a health care development project that provides the framework for the integration of family planning within the general health care system. Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Current contractors and grantees include: University Research Corporation (URC), and the local International Planned Parenthood Foundation affiliate; Population Services International (PSI); Africare; CARE International; International Foundation for Education and Self-Help; The Futures Group International; Camp, Dresser & McKee; John Snow, Inc.; The Partnership for Child Health Care, Inc. (BASICS); and JHPIEGO Corporation. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Annual sales of socially marketed condoms (National) 3,794,298 (1998) 5,931,605* 5,800,000 6,400,000 Sales points offering socially-marketed condoms (National) 5,500 (1998) 5,939 10,000 11,000 Women who can identify at least one modern contraceptive method (Borgou Region) 43.5%** (1996) n/a TBD TBD Infants under 4 months who are exclusively fed breastmilk (Borgou Region) 19% (1996) TBD TBD TBD The results in the first two indicators are not cumulative. *Figures are based on 11 months of sales, January-November 1999. Given that 1999 figures already exceed 2000 targets, targets for 2000 and subsequent years are being revised. **The DHS provides information on women with knowledge of one modern contraceptive measure. The USAID program target will measure the number of women with knowledge of at least three methods, but this baseline data has yet to be collected. U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file) ACTIVITY DATA SHEET PROGRAM: Benin TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Governance and Reinforced Democracy, 680-003 PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,326,000 (DA) PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $1,856,000 (DFA) STATUS: Continuing INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2003 Summary: Benin continues to consolidate its democracy at the macro level. However, despite the Government of Benin's (GOB) efforts to improve democratic governance and facilitate effective decentralization at the local level, results are still limited. Weak planning, budgeting and audit mechanisms, and corruption within the public sector continue to be the major constraints especially in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. Inefficiency, lack of transparency and accountability, endemic corruption, and rent-seeking behavior all have a negative impact on the GOB's capacity to effectively utilize foreign assistance. The lack of a transparent, fair and predictable legal and regulatory environment acts as a major constraint to private and local initiatives as well. However, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and professional organizations are beginning to assume greater responsibilities in national and local decision making. USAID's objective is to strengthen civil society's advocacy and networking skills, improve transparency and accountability of public and democratic institutions, improve the environment to promote local and private initiatives, support Benin's governmental decentralization process, and improve the legislative and deliberative performance of the legislature. The ultimate beneficiaries of this program will be the entire Beninese population. Intermediate beneficiaries are local NGOs, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) in the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and in the executive branch of the GOB. This program supports the U.S. strategic goal in democracy and is a key element in the U.S. Mission U.S. Mission Performance Plan's (MPP) to "consolidate Benin's nascent democracy, improve good governance, and deepen respect for human rights." Key Results: Success in the democracy activities requires: (1) increased participation of civil society in national decision making; (2) strengthened mechanisms promote transparency and accountability; (3) an improved environment for decentralized private and local initiatives; and (4) a strengthened, more independent and representative legislature. During this period, considerable progress was made on all planned results. Principles of accountability are being applied and accountability mechanisms are being strengthened. Accountability mechanisms are improving as the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) performed 72 audits as compared to the planned 40. The environment is becoming more receptive to private sector and local initiatives. Through the micro-enterprise activity increasing numbers of small producers have received loans, and micro-enterprise development training has been provided to disadvantaged communities, mostly to women. Under the Benin Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations Strengthening (BINGOS) activity, an increasing number of NGOs are becoming viable organizations, governed according to democratic principles. Performance and Prospects: Overall, the program is progressing as planned. The GOB continues to demonstrate a firm commitment to the democratic process and improved governance. In supporting the GOB's commitment, USAID plays a key role among donors in electoral reform and strengthening civil society organizations and the legislature, and coordinates with and complements efforts undertaken by the multiple donors intervening in the democracy/governance area. USAID is assisting the GOB to develop a comprehensive prioritized audit plan and is providing training to the MOF Chamber of Accounts auditors and to the executive branch in order to improve and sustain quality audit capacities. The Chamber of Accounts of the Supreme Court, with USAID's financial assistance, conducted controls on campaign spending and has published a report on the exercise. In collaboration with the National Advisory Commission on Ethical Conduct in Public Administration and local organizations such as Transparency International Benin, USAID is increasing efforts to combat corruption by institutionalizing anti-corruption programs. Through the BINGOS activity, now in its final phase, greater numbers of NGOs will improve their capacity to become involved in decision making at the grass roots community level through BINGOS' training in advocacy. In order to ensure sustainability of these improved organizational capacities, BINGOS' NGO partners have created a network for governance, to advocate for the adoption of a code of conduct and for the improvement of governance at the national level. USAID will continue to support strengthened NGO capacity for advocacy through activities to improve the effectiveness of local decentralized governments. USAID's technical assistance to the legislature led to the passing of an improved electoral code including the adoption of a single ballot system of voting, and decentralization laws. Legislative elections were held in March 1999 and a new legislature was installed in May 1999. The new National Assembly is composed of approximately 70% new members who have limited legislative skills. In the coming year, USAID will provide training and technical assistance to strengthen the legislative and deliberative capacities of the legislature and staff, and enhance the dialogue between legislators and their constituents. USAID will help improve management information systems and encourage greater participation of women in the local and national electoral and legislative processes so that pending laws affecting the operations of the education and health sectors are passed in a timely manner. In 1999 the Autonomous National Electoral Commission status became a permanent and independent entity. Local elections are planned for the first quarter of 2000, and USAID plans to train the newly elected local government officials. Other Donor Programs: The Swiss Cooperation leads the coordination of donors in the democracy and governance sector and supports local and grassroots initiatives. Germany, through its foundations and local NGOs, is involved in decentralization, civic education and technical support to the National School of Administration. The Danish Cooperation supports local and grassroots initiatives through local NGOs. France provides support for judicial reform, decentralization and public administration. The World Bank assists the GOB in the areas of financial and administrative reform, and supports the Executive Office's Unit of Public Ethics. Canada is involved in public administration reform and in fostering a favorable environment for the private sector. UNDP provides assistance in electoral coordination, public administration and Internet access. Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID will intensify efforts to facilitate Benin's transition to increased local governance. These efforts will help to: strengthen governance capacity of local officials to ensure that local governments and other decentralized institutions possess sufficient authority to generate and manage resources; enhance community participation in decentralization and the role of civil society in effective local governance, and foster effective linkages among local associations and local governments. Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: Current contractors and grantees include Africare, Appropriate Technology International, and Volunteers in Technical Assistance. Other partners include the National Assembly, the Inspector General's Office, the Chamber of Accounts, GOB Decentralization Mission, Transparency International Benin and local NGOs and Associations. Selected Performance Measures: Baseline (1997) Actual (1998) Actual (1999) Target (2000) Target (2001) Number of BINGOS NGOs that scored over 50% in transparency, honesty 8 33 40 45 TBD Number of annual audits (field reports completed or in process) performed by supreme audits institutions 10 53 72 75 TBD Percent of loans serving the very poor including women 10% 28% 50% 100% TBD Number of bills or resolutions amended or initiated Annually by National Assembly 44 40 24 42 TBD U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  What's New : FOIA Requests : Privacy Policy : Email This Page : Plug-ins : FAQs : Help Desk : Contact Us : Site Map Last Updated on: December 29, 2000