Côte d'Ivoire joins global education agreement

Côte d'Ivoire has signed the Beijing Agreement, a multilateral pact aimed at improving technical and vocational education and training. The agreement was adopted by 45 countries after a conference in Tianjin, China, and focuses on governance, quality standards, and the role of technology in education.

National education plan outlines goals

The Ivorian government has developed a national plan for technical and vocational education, covering the years 2026 to 2035. The plan includes a budget of nearly 2,940 billion CFA francs (5 billion USD) and aims to improve governance, expand training access, and enhance teaching quality.

Focus on increasing participation

The plan seeks to raise the proportion of students in technical and vocational programs within secondary education from 5% to 9% by 2030. It also aims to increase the share of girls in industrial fields from 18% to 30% during the same period, emphasizing gender inclusion in technical sectors.

Goal to align education with employment

Authorities aim to increase the employment rate of graduates from technical and vocational programs from 46% in 2025 to 70% by 2030. This goal reflects a broader effort to ensure that training directly supports job opportunities and economic growth.

Implementation details remain unclear

While the Beijing Agreement provides a framework for reform, it is not yet clear how Côte d'Ivoire will apply its principles. Specific methods for integrating the agreement into training programs, certifications, and employer partnerships, as well as ways to monitor progress, are still being developed.