Kabarore : teachers forced to give contributions

Teachers in the Kabarore district, in the province of Kayanza (North Burundi) are forced to contribute money to finance projects of the ruling CNDD-FDD party. The concerned denounce what they describe as a “violation of human rights”. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Since 2015, teachers in some districts of Kayanza have forcibly contributed to finance projects of the ruling party in Burundi. In the district of Kabarore, educators can’t take it anymore.

Our teacher sources report that this contribution is monthly.People in charge of basic schools give between 5,000 and 10,000 Burundi francs, it depends on the number of pupils who attend the schools.

“We teachers can sometimes give a thousand francs, sometimes two thousand. At one point, we were asked to give 3,000 Burundi francs”, said a teacher. What is serious according to educators is the fact that these contributions do not exclude anyone.

“Even those who are active in other parties are concerned”, said another teacher.

Dehumanized recalcitrants

“Sometimes we are called hungry little dogs (Mujeri), sometimes opponents (ibipinga)”, said a teacher and opposition party member.

Teachers say they are tired of these contributions, especially since their destination is not clear. “No achievement resulting from our contributions”, regrets a director, member of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.

Teachers who confided in SOS Médias Burundi describe these forced contributions as a “violation of human rights and racketeering”. They call on the government and CNDD-FDD officials at the national level to intervene to end the practice.

Education officials in Kayanza province were not available to comment on these allegations.