Since 2005, primary school education is been provided free of charge in Burundi in a bid to further promote this important sector.
The other challenge is to improve the image of education (public and private) of Burundi. In the past, Burundian schools were deemed to be the best in the sub-region because of the quality of programs, the discipline of both teachers and students.
Burundi with high illiteracy rate is now focusing on the education and training sector. Throughout the country, the number of primary and secondary schools is incredibly increasing. In addition to the public initiatives, the private sector is contributing particularly in the nursery, primary, secondary and higher education.
Reforming higher education will bring changes to harmonize the Burundian system with other EAC member states. The Bachelor’s degree program will be soon rescheduled to three years instead of four.
Burundi has recently registered a wide range of private universities that need qualified personnel. Similarly, the Government encourages the establishment of universities, training institutes, knowledge and technology transfer centres.
Investment opportunities:
• Manufacture of school and educational materials;
• High demand for institutes or capacity building centres for government officials, public and private companies, activists of civil society organizations and inhabitants of rural areas;
• The integration of Burundi into the EAC implies the need for English and Kiswahili skills;
• Business operators deal with importing activities or have partnerships in China therefore learning Chinese becomes a necessity;
• Asian and Latin America countries are increasingly interested in the African market.