Photo of the week : the decision to close Gitega International School sends shockwaves through 736 pupils and their families

The decision by the Minister of National Education and Scientific Research, François Havyarimana, to close the Gitega International School, located in the political capital of the small East African nation, continues to cause widespread concern. The 736 pupils enrolled at the school, their parents, and the teachers fear the consequences of a measure they consider hasty. Between the risk of job loss, disruption to their education, and legal uncertainties, their anxiety grows daily.

Minister François Havyarimana ordered the closure of this private school, a decision that continues to send shockwaves through the city of Gitega. Teachers, parents, and school officials are denouncing a measure taken without sufficient consultation, the consequences of which could be severe, both socially and educationally.

For the teachers, this decision has been met with a devastating blow.

“We reacted very negatively to Minister François Havyarimana’s decision to close the Gitega International School. We are in complete disarray. We don’t know how we will feed our families or how we will get medical care for our children if they get sick. Personally, I took out a loan to build my first house. I don’t see how I will be able to make the repayments now,” a teacher at the school, who requested anonymity, told SOS Médias Burundi.

According to him, several employees risk losing their only source of income if the decision is upheld.

Among the parents, anger is vying with anxiety. Many say they have entrusted their children’s education to this school for many years.

“Since 2007, my seven children have attended the International School of Gitega. Five have already completed their secondary education. I have two children left : one is in 5th grade and the other in 8th grade. Now, they’re closing this school like a shop. Where will they go? Even if I find another school, their education will likely suffer,” a parent explained.

According to this parent, several families have started signing a petition addressed to Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye, requesting the suspension of this decision and the opening of a dialogue with the authorities.

The president of the parents’ committee, Deo Kavamahanga, indicates that several steps have already been taken with the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research.

“We submitted all the requested documents, including the property title and the school’s accreditation. Despite this, we have received no positive response,” he explains.

According to Mr. Kavamahanga, the committee is not ruling out taking legal action to challenge the ministerial decision. He also states that he has repeatedly tried to contact Minister François Havyarimana by phone and WhatsApp, without receiving a reply.

In his decision, the minister justifies the closure of the Gitega International School by the lack of a legal framework governing its operation. He also maintains that the school occupies state-owned buildings without a lease agreement.

These explanations, however, have failed to convince some of Gitega’s residents. Many believe that the alleged irregularities could have been corrected through dialogue between the authorities and school officials, without resorting to immediate closure.

“When a school has more than 700 pupils, a solution that prioritizes the children’s best interests must be found,” says a resident of Gitega.

In the political capital, some also suggest possible political considerations behind this decision. However, no evidence has yet been made public to support these claims.

With the start of the school year approaching in September, the 736 affected pupils, their families, and the school staff are living in profound uncertainty. Many don’t know where their children will continue their education and are wondering about the educational, psychological, and financial consequences this closure could have.

Parents, teachers, and school officials are now hoping for a review of the ministerial decision or a favorable outcome to the appeals they plan to file. They believe that a permanent closure without an alternative solution risks jeopardizing the education of hundreds of children and further destabilizing the families involved.

Our photo : view of an interior courtyard of the Gitega International School, whose closure has sparked strong reactions among pupils, parents, and teachers