Gitega : over 1,000 pupils, 40 computers, and boarders forced to sleep on the floor

SOS Médias Burundi

Gitega, September 28, 2026—Two weeks after the start of the school year, the Christ Roi Technical High School in Mushasha, Gitega, the political capital of Burundi, is facing several challenges that are impacting pupils’ learning and living conditions. With over 1,000 pupils, only 40 computers, a teacher shortage, classes of up to 140 pupils, and some boarders forced to sleep on the floor, the school administration is calling for measures to address these needs.

One computer for approximately six students

The school currently has 40 computers for over 1,000 pupils. During practical computer classes, approximately six pupils have to share a single computer.

According to Father Remegie Barutwanayo, director of Christ Roi Technical High School in Mushasha, this situation reduces opportunities for individual practice and affects the quality of teaching.

In addition to this lack of equipment, there is a shortage of teaching staff. The administration indicates that it needs four additional teachers, particularly to provide computer science and electronics courses.

Supervising pupils is also a challenge. The school is requesting four additional discipline supervisors to strengthen pupil oversight within the high school.

Classes of 100 to 140 students

The lack of teaching resources also extends to textbooks. The school is facing a shortage of math, French, and English books, while class sizes remain particularly high.

In some classrooms, the number of pupils varies between 100 and 140. Such large class sizes complicate individual pupil monitoring and normal learning conditions.

Pupils forced to sleep on the floor

The difficulties aren’t limited to the classrooms. The living conditions of boarding pupils are also a cause for concern.

According to the administration, some pupils are forced to sleep on the floor due to a lack of sufficient beds and mattresses. To improve the living conditions of the boarders, the school estimates it needs 200 mattresses and 50 bunk beds.

The school accommodates more than 1,000 boarding pupils, which increases the need for equipment and infrastructure.

No vehicle to ensure supplies

The school also faces a logistical problem : the lack of a vehicle.

This situation particularly complicates the school’s supply of food and drinking water, while the school must meet the daily needs of more than a thousand boarding pupils.

An appeal to the Ministry of Education

Faced with all these difficulties, Father Remegie Barutwanayo is appealing to the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research to find solutions to school’s various needs.

The administration specifically requests additional teaching and administrative staff, more computer equipment and textbooks, and improved accommodation and logistical support.

A situation that goes beyond Mushasha

This situation is not unique. Nationwide, many Burundian schools are facing significant needs for teaching staff and equipment, while pupil enrollment remains high.

For the 2026-2027 school year, provincial education directorates have expressed a need for 14,330 teachers. The government, however, plans to recruit 5,000 teachers, within the limits of available budgetary resources, leaving a gap of 9,330 teachers between the expressed needs and the authorized recruitment.

The Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research also announced that these 5,000 recruitments should help reduce the reliance on volunteer teachers. The recruitment covers various qualification levels, including 995 teachers at the D6 level, 2,538 at the D7 level, 22 at the A2 level, and 1,445 university-level teachers.

At the Christ Roi Technical High School in Mushasha, the administration hopes that the announced measures will also address the school’s specific needs, particularly in terms of teachers, teaching materials, computer equipment, and infrastructure for boarding pupils.