Maintaining school canteens for CEP 2026 candidates in Benin

The Bénin government has announced a strategic move to support primary school students ahead of the 2026 Certificat d’Études Primaires (CEP) exams. Minister of Preschool and Primary Education, Salimane Karimou, has issued a formal directive mandating the continuation of school canteen services from June 1 to June 4, 2026.

Ensuring uninterrupted meals for exam candidates

This decision applies exclusively to schools already enrolled in the Programme National d’Alimentation Scolaire Intégré (PNASI). For these institutions, the midday break won’t disrupt lunch routines—instead, students will receive their usual hot meal on-site, maintaining stability during the exam period.

Why nutrition matters during exams

Minister Salimane Karimou emphasized that removing this critical nutrition source could harm student performance. In his circular to regional directors, he noted:

« Many CEP candidates rely on these meals daily throughout their schooling. Withholding them during exams risks physiological stress and hunger, potentially impairing concentration in afternoon sessions. »

Strict oversight for seamless operations

Coordinating this nationwide effort requires meticulous planning. Regional directors must ensure food supplies and service providers remain fully operational during the four-day exam window. This reinforces the canteen’s role beyond social welfare—it’s a key factor in academic success.

By guaranteeing consistent nutrition, the ministry aims to help students approach their exams with both mental clarity and physical readiness.

What parents need to know

Families of students in affected schools can rest assured: the canteen service will proceed as normal until the final exam papers are submitted on June 4, 2026.