School benches : revocation or prison for fraudsters, the government toughens its stance

SOS Médias Burundi

Burundi, January 20, 2026 – At a meeting held on Monday in the town center of Burunga province, in southern Burundi, bringing together heads of district and provincial services, the Burundian government announced stricter controls in the school bench manufacturing process. However, the administrative and school officials present were not given the opportunity to comment.

Each district received 100 million Burundi francs, with the requirement that the benches be manufactured locally. Given past irregularities, the authorities warned that no irregularities will be tolerated.

The Minister of National Education, François Havyarimana, expressed serious concerns about the quality of the benches to be produced. He recalled that in previous school years, several districts had experienced irregularities, including the manufacture of benches that did not meet standards, delays in their distribution, and questionable management of public funds.

“No bench will be accepted unless it strictly adheres to the applicable standards,” the minister warned, calling on district officials and technical services to exercise increased vigilance. He emphasized that any negligence or complicity would have direct consequences for those responsible.

The Prime Minister’s office reinforced this message. Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye warned that anyone found guilty of embezzlement or mismanagement of funds intended for school benches would face severe penalties. “For the luckiest, it will be dismissal; for the less fortunate, it will be prison,” he stated.

The stated objective is clear : to put an end to fraudulent practices and guarantee Burundian pupils quality benches, delivered on time. The government’s message is clear : public money must serve schools, not personal interests.