A nation’s progress is almost entirely dependent on education because this molds the country’s youth and can improve society overall. However, this is not the journey for Burundi, a tiny, war-torn nation in East Africa whose education system has faced numerous obstacles. Many schools were destroyed or damaged during the civil war (1993-2005), and the education sector has yet to fully recover from the devastation that has been caused by a turbulent history of civil conflict, poverty, inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages, and overcrowded classrooms.
Despite recent improvements in primary school enrollment rates, which rose from 59% in 2005 to 94% in 2018, there remain substantial challenges and high dropout rates, particularly among girls. Enrollment in secondary education was just 28% of eligible students as of 2018, and enrollment in tertiary education was even lower at just 3.5%. In primary schools in 2018, the average student-teacher ratio was 60 which is extremely high according to UNICEF.
There are 5.23 million children in Burundi who are of school age. Of these, 65% attend public schools, 33% attend grant-aided (government-supported) schools, 4% attend private schools, and 1% attends community schools.
Social instability, poor infrastructure and poverty
Decades of ethnic conflict and instability in Burundi have affected the education system. Major population movements that have persisted since 1993 have had a negative influence on school attendance and have prevented an environment that is conducive to learning.
According to research by the Education Policy and Data Center of the international think tank FHI360, in 2018, 62% of young people aged 15-24 (about 2.3 million people) had not completed primary school education.
According to another report by International Alert, at least 391 primary schools were destroyed as a result of the civil war in Burundi in 1993-2005 which left thousands of children without access to education. The destruction of these schools not only deprived children of their right to learn but also disrupted their sense of normality and stability in the midst of chaos.
Moreover, many schools across Burundi are struggling with a lack of basic facilities, including classrooms, desks, and toilets, which impedes the ability of students to learn effectively.
Jeanine Mukeshimana, a local teacher, commented:
“The destruction of schools has had a devastating impact on our students. Many have been forced to drop out of school, with no hope of returning anytime soon. We need urgent action to address this crisis and ensure that every child in Burundi has access to education”.
As the sector is still struggling to restore its infrastructure, the Minister of Education and Scientific Research, Gaspard Banyankimbona, stated:
“The destruction of schools in Burundi is a tragic consequence of the war that has ravaged our country. We are committed to rebuilding these schools and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to receive an education.”
The persistently high poverty rate only worsens the situation. According to a recent report by the United Nations Development Programme, over 75% of Burundi’s population is multi-dimensionally poor, making it difficult for many families to afford the costs associated with education, including tuition fees, uniforms, and textbooks.
See also: Burundi’s devastating cycle: Poverty and food insecurity threaten millions
“Poverty is a major obstacle to education in Burundi,” explained Dr. Jean-Marie Ntahimpera, an education expert at the University of Burundi. “Many children are forced to drop out of school to work and support their families, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.”
Teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms
According to the UNICEF-World Bank Basic Education Public Expenditure Review, the country has a serious shortage of trained teachers with many schools relying on unqualified instructors to fill the gaps. This has resulted in a lack of quality education, with many students failing to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in future careers.
This shortage has triggered a high student-to-teacher ratio.
“The lack of qualified teachers is a major concern,” commented Marie-Claire Niyonzima, a teacher at a primary school in Bujumbura. “It is difficult to provide individual attention to students when you have a class of 50 or more.”
Overcrowded classrooms are also a major challenge facing Burundi’s education system. Many schools are overcrowded, with some classes having as many as 100 students.
“The overcrowding is a major obstacle to learning,” explained Emmanuel Ndayishimiye, a student at a secondary school in Gitega. “It is difficult to focus when you are in a crowded classroom with limited resources.”
More funding needed
UNICEF’s education budget analysis has highlighted that the primary source of funding for education comes from domestic resources. It sets benchmark financing standards that obligate governments to allocate at least 4% to 6% of their GDP and 15% to 20% of their overall budget to education.
However, the share allocated to Burundi’s Education Ministry from the national budget has witnessed a significant decrease over the past few years having been slashed from 20.6% in 2021-2022 to 12.7% in 2023-2024 when it stood at US$174.1 million. Despite the slight increase in the fiscal year 2024-2025 when it reached US$176.6 million, or 4% of the country’s GDP, UNICEF has recommended further increasing budget allocations to help the education sector to overcome the current hurdles and increase children’s access to education.
