The human rights organizations Ligue Burundaise des Droits de l’Homme Iteka and King Umurundi Freedom, through their joint UMUSEKE programme, are publishing an analysis report on the Burundian Government’s national programme for the production and distribution of 336,000 school desks.
Access to quality education begins with dignified learning conditions. Yet thousands of Burundian students continue to attend schools that lack adequate classroom furniture, forcing several children to share a single desk or even sit on the floor during lessons.
In response to this situation, the Government of Burundi launched an ambitious programme to manufacture and distribute 336,000 school desks, representing a public investment of 18 billion Burundian francs (BIF).
Through this report, Ligue Iteka and King Umurundi Freedom, provide an independent assessment of the programme’s implementation. The report examines key aspects of planning, financing, procurement, manufacturing, and distribution of school desks, while also addressing issues related to transparency, public financial management, environmental protection, and adherence to the principles of good governance.
The report highlights several challenges that may affect the programme’s effectiveness and puts forward practical recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, oversight of public spending, and equity in the allocation of school furniture.
Because every child has the right to learn in a safe, dignified, and supportive environment, this report seeks to make a constructive contribution to public debate and to promote stronger governance of public investment in Burundi’s education sector.