In response to an array of challenges in the Burundian educational sector, Cordaid implements an innovative approach to strengthen the capacities of 125 schools in Muramvya province, in the centre of the country.
Together with local institutions and the school staff, Cordaid has developed a performance-based financing programme. This means that the school will receive funds once several predetermined results have been achieved.
Better results, better accessibility
This could be, for example, more girls in the classroom, training teachers, better test results or better accessibility, as the distances between the villages in the area and the schools often pose a challenge for the students.
‘The exchange of knowledge and experience between the teachers and the participation of parents in school governance have completely changed our school’s ranking.’
‘Performance-based financing has helped us to improve our results and the learning environment,’ says Aline Maniragumije, head of Munanira Primary School.
After achieving the agreed results, the school can autonomously decide how it wants to spend the funds. In most cases, the money will go to renovation, improving sanitary facilities or better salaries for the staff.
Watch this video about Cordaid’s education programme in Burundi:
Like many schools in the region, Munanira struggled with a low success rate among pupils, low parental involvement in school management and a shortage of teachers.
Trust and transparency
‘Our school has taken an important step forward’, Aline says. ‘We achieved 100% success in the tests the students must take before allowing them to move forward in the education system. The exchange of knowledge and experience between the teachers and the participation of parents in school governance have completely changed our school’s ranking. The parents’ participation also creates trust and avoids any suspicion of mismanagement. Everything is done transparently.’
The school met the pre-agreed criteria for additional funding and invested the money in the construction of a meeting room and a hair salon. The latter provides employment and generates income for the school. They also installed electricity, enabling the children to study in a well-lit classroom.
‘The school teaches us to prepare for our future’, says 14-year-old Noble Iriwacu. ‘But we need the right conditions to study. The light in the classroom allows us to prepare well for our exams.’
The school director believes the programme makes a big difference and passionately calls for its continuation. ‘There are still many challenges and we still need support.’