Ivory Coast to Build 30 Multimedia Education Centers by 2025
Published: March 14, 2025
The Ivory Coast is making meaningful strides in its commitment to education, with the Ministry of National Education and Literacy announcing plans to construct 30 new Multimedia Education and Training Centers (CMEF) in rural community colleges by 2025. This ambitious initiative, a cornerstone of the ministry’s 2025 action plan, aims to substantially improve educational opportunities for students in underserved areas. The project is projected to benefit approximately 34,500 students nationwide, providing them with access to modern educational resources and enhanced learning environments. This investment underscores the nation’s dedication to bridging the educational gap and fostering a brighter future for its youth.
The construction of these CMEFs directly addresses recommendations from the national education and literacy review, which highlighted the urgent need for improved educational infrastructure and resources, particularly in rural regions. Access to quality education in these areas is often limited, hindering the potential of countless students. The CMEFs are strategically designed to bridge this disparity by equipping students with access to cutting-edge technology, multimedia learning tools, and thorough educational support systems.
To spearhead this transformative effort and address other critical educational needs, the Ministry of National Education and Literacy (MENA) has established the Education Conversion Support Program (PATEB). This program serves as a comprehensive framework for driving enduring improvements across the Ivorian education system, with a strong focus on enhancing access, equity, and the overall quality of educational services.
The inaugural meeting of the PATEB steering committee took place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the Ministry of National Education.Minister Mariatou Koné presided over the meeting, which served to validate the program’s annual budgeted work plan, setting the stage for the implementation of key initiatives throughout the year. This meeting underscored the government’s commitment to the program and its importance in achieving national educational goals.
According to M.N’da Yao Ristide, the coordinator of PATEB, the program includes several major actions planned for 2025. these include the construction of 440 functional pre-primary classrooms, aimed at expanding early childhood education opportunities across the country. This initiative recognizes the critical importance of early learning in setting the foundation for future academic success.
Moreover, the PATEB aims to expand the CMEF initiative to over 90 rural primary schools, thereby reaching an additional 90,000 students. This expansion will provide these students with access to vital resources and technologies, enhancing their learning experiences and preparing them for future academic success. The program also includes the expansion of school health programs to 18,555 primary schools and 45 community colleges, addressing the holistic well-being of students.
The PATEB is meticulously designed to foster a sustainable transformation of the ivorian education system. It aims to ensure a smoother transition between primary and secondary education while also promoting equal opportunities for all students, nonetheless of their socioeconomic background or geographic location. This holistic approach seeks to create a more inclusive and equitable education system that empowers all students to reach their full potential.
The overarching goal of PATEB is to cultivate a student-centered educational surroundings focused on success. Specifically, the program aims to improve access, equity, and the quality of educational services, with a particular emphasis on gender equality. By addressing these key areas, PATEB seeks to create a more effective and inclusive education system that benefits all students in Ivory Coast.
As of June 26, 2024, PATEB has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the national educational offerings. The program is structured around two primary pillars: reform of the education sector and reform of the education system. These reforms are designed to address systemic challenges and create a more efficient, effective, and equitable education system for all Ivorian students.
During her address at the steering committee meeting, Minister of Education Mariatou Koné expressed the government’s gratitude to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for its meaningful financial support, which amounts to 25 billion CFA francs. this funding is crucial for the successful implementation of PATEB and its various initiatives.
I thank the Global Partnership for Education, which honors us by granting us its financial support in order to realize the government’s vision of improving essential learning for all boys and girls in basic education
Mariatou Koné, Minister of Education
The PATEB steering committee comprises representatives from several technical ministries, including those responsible for Women, Family, and Children; Budget and Finance; Construction and Urban Planning; Health and Public Hygiene; and Environment and Sustainable Development. This multi-sectoral approach ensures that the program is aligned with broader national development goals and priorities.
UNESCO is a key partner in the PATEB initiative. Omar Diop, the resident representative and head of the UNESCO office in Abidjan, expressed his institution’s gratitude to Minister Mariatou Koné for allowing our institution to be a key partner of PATEB.
As a partner of the EGENA,UNESCO continues to mobilize its internal and external expertise to sustainably respond to the learning crisis and contribute to the qualitative transformation of basic education in Côte d’Ivoire
Omar Diop,UNESCO Resident Representative and Head of Office in Abidjan
The construction of 30 new CMEFs,along with the other initiatives under PATEB,represents a significant investment in the future of Ivorian education. By providing students with access to modern resources, improved learning environments, and comprehensive support services, the program aims to empower them to succeed academically and contribute to the nation’s development.
Ivory Coast’s Educational revolution: A Q&A with Dr.Adjoa Mensah
Is the ivory Coast quietly becoming a model for bridging the education gap in developing nations? The aspiring Multimedia Education and Training Centers (CMEF) initiative suggests it might be.
Interviewer: Dr. Mensah, welcome. your expertise in African educational progress is renowned. The Ivory Coast’s recent proclamation of 30 new CMEFs by 2025, alongside broader initiatives under the Education Conversion Support Program (PATEB), is significant.Can you elaborate on the potential impact of this program?
Dr.Mensah: the PATEB program represents a truly transformative approach to educational reform in the Ivory Coast. the focus on multimedia education centers in rural areas directly addresses the critical issue of equitable access to quality education. By providing students in underserved communities with access to cutting-edge technology and multimedia learning tools, this initiative has the potential to significantly improve learning outcomes and bridge the digital divide. This isn’t just about building classrooms; it’s about building opportunities. The inclusion of early childhood education initiatives and school health programs within PATEB demonstrates a holistic approach, recognizing that education extends beyond the classroom. The success of PATEB hinges on its multi-sectoral collaboration,and the financial support received from the global Partnership for Education is vital to the project’s completion.
Interviewer: The national education review highlighted the need for improved infrastructure. How significantly does the construction of CMEFs and pre-primary classrooms address this?
Dr. Mensah: The lack of adequate infrastructure is a longstanding challenge hindering educational progress in many developing countries. The Ivory Coast is directly tackling this by investing in the construction of new facilities. The CMEFs, specifically, offer a modern and engaging learning environment, equipped with technology designed to cater to diverse learning styles. The addition of 440 pre-primary classrooms recognizes the critical importance of early childhood development, laying the foundation for future academic excellence. This two-pronged approach to infrastructure development demonstrates a commitment to building a robust and equitable education system from the ground up.
Interviewer: PATEB emphasizes equity and access. How does the program ensure that the benefits reach the most marginalized students?
Dr. Mensah: The strategic placement of CMEFs in rural community colleges directly targets geographically disadvantaged students. The program’s commitment to gender equality and its inclusion of school health programs further ensure that the benefits are accessible to all students,irrespective of gender,socioeconomic background,or geographic location. By addressing these systemic barriers,PATEB aims to provide equal opportunities for every child to realize their educational potential. This holistic, inclusive approach sets PATEB apart from more narrowly focused interventions.
Interviewer: What are the potential long-term implications of these educational reforms for the Ivory Coast?
Dr. Mensah: The long-term effects of PATEB could be profound. Increased access to quality education will lead to improved literacy rates, enhanced skills development, and greater opportunities for economic advancement. This will also positively impact the country’s overall human capital, fostering innovation, and economic growth. A well-educated population is essential for enduring national development. Investing in education is, quite literally, investing in the future of the Ivory Coast. The program’s focus on a smoother transition between primary and secondary education will also help to retain students,thereby maximizing the impact of the investment.
Interviewer: What lessons can other developing nations learn from the Ivory Coast’s approach?
Dr. Mensah: The Ivory Coast’s experience offers valuable lessons for other developing nations striving for educational reform. The success of PATEB highlights the importance of:
A complete, holistic approach: Integrating early childhood education, infrastructure development, and health programs ensures a well-rounded educational experience.
Strategic targeting of underserved communities: Focusing resources on areas with the greatest need maximizes the program’s impact.
Multi-sectoral collaboration: The involvement of various ministries is crucial for aligning educational goals with broader national development priorities.
Securing sustainable funding: The significant financial support from the Global Partnership for Education demonstrates the importance of international partnerships.
the Ivory Coast’s commitment to improving educational access and quality through innovative programs like PATEB offers a roadmap for other nations seeking to transform their education systems and empower their citizens. What are your thoughts on this ambitious educational undertaking? Share your comments below, or discuss this important topic on social media using #IvoryCoastEducation #PATEB #EducationReform.