Benin: Governance, lifelong learning and development

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This article analyses and identifies the extent to which the different pre- and post-independence typologies of governance in Benin have facilitated the promotion of lifelong learning as instrument for development. Relying on the thematic content analysis method, the article identifies three themes and three main typologies of governance spanning the independence preparation period and post-independence era. Of the three styles of governance, only the Marxist–Leninist government succeeded in promoting lifelong learning by default. Lifelong learning being one type of learning that promotes the re-engineering of society through the constant dissemination of knowledge, information and know-how and through the constant retooling of the citizenry for purpose of investment of their talents in ever renewable ways, Benin is called upon to prioritise the promotion of lifelong learning soon. Specifically, Benin has been advised to restructure her national educational sector by bringing the whole sector under one Minister of Education with a view to enabling a seamless interaction across all sections of the national education. This restructuring as described in Figure 1 within the article, would facilitate timeous access to knowledge, information and skills that would enable individuals to participate in different sectors of the economy and thereby advance rapid national socio-economic development.