School and Education in Burundi

In Burundi, the education follows a 6-4-3 system, where the primary school lasts for 6 years, the secondary school for 4 years and the secondary school for 3 years. According to UNESCO, in 2008, 13% of the population over 15 years were illiterate.

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Country data

Area: 27,834 km2 (world rank: 143)

Population: 10,864,000

Population density: 390 per km2 (as of 2017, world rank: 84)

Capital: Bujumbura

Official languages: Kirundi, French

Gross domestic product: 3.5 billion US $; Real growth: 0.5%

Gross national product (GNP, per resident and year): 290 US$

Currency: 1 Burundi Franc (F.Bu.) = 100 Centimes

Embassy

Berliner Str. 36, 10715 Berlin
Telephone 030 23456710,
Fax 030 23456720 www. burundi-embassy-berlin.com

Government
Head of State and Government: Pierre NkurunzizaGaston SindimwoJoseph Butore, Exterior: Ezéchiel Nibigira

National holiday: 1.7.

Administrative structure
17 provinces and capital

State and form of government
Constitution of 2005
Presidential Republic
Parliament: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) with up to 121 members (100 elected members, of which 60 Hutu, 40 Tutsi; at least 30% of the members must be women; up to 18 members can be co-opted, 3 members represent the TWA); Senate with 43 members (34 indirectly elected, 17 Hutu, 17 Tutsi; 3 members represent the Twa; former heads of state; at least 30% of the members must be women); Choice each every 5 J.
direct election of the head of state every 7 years (renewable once)
Voting age 18 years

Population: Burundians, last census 2008: 8,053,574 residents.
80% Hutu, 19% Tutsi, 1% Twa (so-called pygmies)

Cities (with population): (as of 2008) Bujumbura 497,166 residents, Gitega 41,944, Ngozi 39,884, Rumonge 35,931, Cibitoke 23,885

Religions: 62% Catholics, 22% Protestants, 4% followers of indigenous religions, 3% Muslims, 2% Adventists (as of 2006)

Languages: Kirundi (Bantu language), Swahili, French

Employed by economic sector: Agriculture. 91%, industry 3%, business 6% (2017)

Unemployment (in% of the labor force)
no information

Inflation rate (in%): 2017: 16.6%

Foreign trade: Import: 804 million US $ (2017); Export: US $ 161 million (2017)

Basic education

Children start school the year they turn six. In principle, primary school is free and compulsory, but according to the World Bank (2011), only 62% complete primary school. The national language kirundi (rundi) is the language of instruction. French is introduced in the 3rd grade, and French is the language of instruction from the 5th grade.

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In the 2010 Education under Attack report, UNESCO describes the extensive recruitment of child soldiers from schools in the country.

Higher education

Université du Burundi, founded in 1964, is the leading university in the country with about 11,000 students. In recent years, four private universities have also been established.

Burundi Country Flag

Burundi flag source: Countryaah.com

Gitega

Gitega, the provincial capital and second largest city in Burundi; 23,000 residents (2012). The city is home to the Catholic Archbishop, several educational institutions and the National Museum, which houses the country’s traditional royal drums. It is a trading town with some industries.