FSTE loan : fleeing teachers leave more than 250 million Burundi francs unpaid

SOS Médias Burundi,

Bujumbura, September 23, 2025 – Several primary and secondary school teachers, particularly in Butanyerera province in northern Burundi and in Rumonge district (Burunga province in the south), have deserted their posts over the past two school years.

According to an employee of the Education Workers’ Solidarity Fund (FSTE)—who requested anonymity—these teachers had taken out loans totaling more than 250 million Burundi francs (BIF).

An organized theft

After receiving these loans, some teachers left the country. Others have headed to countries in the east African subregion, such as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda, while several have sought refuge in Southern African countries such as Zambia, Malawi, South Africa, and Mozambique.

This situation places the Fund in a delicate position, as these teachers have become unreachable and are no longer honoring their financial commitments.

The FSTE calls it theft and promises to take action.

For the Education Workers Solidarity Fund, this is not just a case of non-payment but an act akin to theft. “These teachers are now considered defaulters, even thieves,” the anonymous source explained.

Faced with this fraud, which is considered massive, FSTE is considering contacting Interpol, the international criminal police organization that coordinates investigations and cooperation between police forces in different countries, in order to track down these debtors and recover the sums improperly pocketed.

Consequences for the education system

The abandonment of these teachers’ posts has a direct impact on school operations. The schools concerned must cope with a shortage of qualified staff, which affects the quality of teaching.

Furthermore, this phenomenon undermines the credibility of the FSTE, which relies on a system of trust and solidarity among education sector workers, particularly in Butanyerera and Burunga provinces.