Burundi Education System

I. INTRODUCTION

Burundi operates on the 6-4-3-4 system:

Primary School                       : 6 years

Lower Secondary School         : 4 years

Upper Secondary School        : 3 years

University Bachelor’s degree: 4 years

Principal language of instruction is French. Burundi has only one African language, Kirundi, which is studied through secondary school. Studies in English, as a second language, start in primary school in standard 1. Kishwahili is also taught in primary public schools.

II. School Education

1. Kindergarten schools

Kindergarten schools enroll children aged three to six years.

The schools providing this type of education in Burundi are mostly privately owned schools.

2. Primary education:

Primary education lasts for six years. On completion of standard six, students must sit for a national test in order to obtain a “Certificate d'Etudes Primaires" (Primary School Leaving Certificate) and to continue on to secondary school in the public system. Those that have higher percentage test results continue to public high schools while those with low percentages attend communal colleges (the percentage is based upon the average overall test results).

Note: in the 1970’s and 1980’s the number of primary school students who passed the national test was approximately 25-35%. At present, with more schools available, the percentage has risen to 45-50%.

Since 2005 primary school fees have been free of charge to all Burundian nationals.

3. Secondary education:

Secondary education is divided into lower and upper secondary education.

1. Lower secondary education

It is available to those who pass the National Entrance Examination and lasts for four years. A national test is imposed on all those who complete lower secondary education (4^th year of lower education). Their records are submitted to a National Orientation Commission to determine which section the student would specialize in for the last three years of study.

1. Upper secondary level

Upper secondary level takes another three years after lower education. It consists of three areas of study:

i.  Scientific A: major in mathematics and physics

ii. Scientific B: major in biology and chemistry (mathematics and

physics are also considered)

iii. Literary: arts, languages

After completion of upper high school, the student must pass another test leading to Diplôme d’Etat (State’s certificate), which gives access to higher education (University studies).

If the student passes the test he/she will have access to a small scholarship that includes lodging and meals at the State University.

After the 4th year of lower secondary school, if the student is not lucky to be orientated in the above mentioned three areas of study, he/she may be orientated to:

*       State technical schools for disciplines such as agronomy, nursing, accounts, electricity, and mechanics:

-         Two years technical school = diploma A3, and one looks for a job.

-         Three to four years technical school = diploma A2 which gives access to the state university or work.

1. 4. Technical secondary education lasts for five or seven years. It is also available for those who pass the National Entrance Examination done in the last year of primary school (standard 6). A2 Diploma sanctions success in a cycle of technical studies lasting for seven years and A3 Diploma is conferred after a cycle of studies lasting five years.

1. 5. Teacher Education
2. A. Training of kindergarten and primary schools teachers

Primary school teachers are trained in "lycées pédagogiques" which    offer studies for two years. Those who join “lycée pedagogique” have finished the lower secondary education. In-service training of primary teachers is a regular activity of the Office for Rural Education (BER).

1. B. Training of secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers are trained at the University of Burundi         from which they graduate after four years in various specialties. Some       teachers specifically trained for secondary education, are also trained at the Pedagogical Institute for three to five years. They may also be trained in "Ecoles Normales Supérieures."(Higher Teachers’ Institute)

1. 6. Higher education:

Higher education: is mainly provided by the Université du Burundi. It is largely financed by the State and enjoys administrative and management autonomy. It is administered by a Rector appointed by the President of the Republic for four years. Policy-making is the responsibility of a Governing Board appointed by the President of the Republic and representing the major spheres of activity concerning higher education development.

1. A. University level studies

The Burundian state university “University of Burundi” is recognized by UNESCO. This is the only Public University in the country.

Faculties are: Economics, Law, Medicine, Biology, Agronomy, Applied Science, Teaching, Arts (Languages), Geography, and Physical Education and Sports.

University first stage: Candidature

The first stage of study consists of the first 2 years of study in the preparation for the Bachelor’s degree. It leads to the Candidature.

University second stage: Bachelor’s degree (“Licence” in French)

A further two year-study beyond the Candidature leads to the Bachelor’s degree. In Civil and Agronomic Engineering, courses last for five years and lead to the award of the professional title of Engineer.

N.B. The Engineer Technician Degree is conferred after three or four years'

training in the technical institutes.

In the Medical Faculty, the professional title of Doctor is awarded after 7 years of study; the student receives a Doctorate. For doctors to specialize, they must leave Burundi to study abroad.

At the university level marks are graded out of 20 points. Ten points is a pass although 12 points is an acceptable pass.

At the present time, both state and most private universities of Burundi do not offer Masters’ degree except for the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Burundi, and Faculty of business administration and leadership/management at Light University (Université Lumière).

1. B. Higher Institutes

Non-formal studies consist of in-service courses offered by the Institut supérieur de Gestion d'Entreprise for management professionals. There are two levels of training: short cycle training for holders of the Diplôme d'Etat and long cycle training for holders of degrees in economics or their equivalent. Evening courses are also organized in computer sciences.

1. 7. Private school system
2. A. Cost

Numerous private schools both primary and secondary have opened their doors in recent years in Bujumbura and in the interior of the country. The average school fees vary between $20 and $70 per term in primary school and between $30 and $100 per term in high school.

The Belgian and French schools of Bujumbura school fees vary from 678 to 700 Euro per term in primary school and from 800 to 973 Euro per term in secondary school.

1. B. Private Universities

In the past eight years there has been a proliferation of private universities:

Université Lumière in Bujumbura Municipality

Hope Africa University, Bujumbura Municipality

Université Sagesse d’Afrique, Bujumbura Municipality

University of Lake Tanganyika, Bujumbura Municipality

University Martin Luther King, Bujumbura Municipality

Great Lakes University, Bururi Province

University of Ngozi, Ngozi Province

University of Mwaro, Mwaro Province

University Peace and Reconciliation(Paix et Réconciliation), Bujumbura Municipality

8. Grading System

A. Primary and Secondary School
Full Description 0-100%:

• 90-100%: Excellent
• 80-89%  : “La plus grande distinction”(The highest distinction)
• 70-79%  : “Grande distinction”(High distinction)
• 60-69%  : Distinction
• 50-59%  : Satisfaction/Pass
• below     : 50% fail

N.B. In some private schools, the “pass” varies between 55 and 65.

B. Higher Education Institutes
Full Description 0%-100%:

• 90-100%: Excellent
• 80-89%  : La plus grande distinction ”(The highest distinction)”
• 70-79%  : Grande distinction ”(High distinction)”
• 60-69%  : Satisfaction/Pass

Burundi as a member of the EAC is in the process of  harmornizing its sysytem to ensure students from the other member states could study in its public institutions.

Kenyan students have visited Burundi from both the primary, teriarry and university levels to learn from their peers in this EAC member state.