In the former communes of Rugombo, Mugina, Nyanza-Lac, and Kayogoro, children’s laughter once again fills renovated and newly constructed classrooms. For hundreds of returnee pupils and children from host communities, school is no longer a fragile dream but a tangible reality—one that carries hope and opens the door to a better future.

As part of efforts to support the school reintegration of returnee children, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Burundi–Tanzania officially handed over significant school infrastructure to the Ministry of the Interior, Community Development and Public Security on 17 December 2025.

These achievements include 30 classrooms for basic education (ECOFO), 33 preschool classrooms, 53 newly constructed latrine units, and the rehabilitation of 155 classrooms in basic education schools.

Built and rehabilitated in the former provinces of Cibitoke and Makamba, these infrastructures respond to an urgent need: providing children affected by forced displacement with a safe, dignified, and inclusive learning environment. For many of them, returning to school means rediscovering daily routines, regaining a sense of stability, and being able to envision their future once again.

Receiving the infrastructure on behalf of the Government of Burundi, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Internal Affairs and Community Development commended JRS for its commitment and the quality of its collaboration with partners. He emphasized that education remains a cornerstone of social cohesion and community development, particularly in areas affected by population returns.

During the ceremony, the keys to the school infrastructure were symbolically handed over to the Director of the Inclusive Education Office of the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research. He issued a strong call to government partners to further support national efforts in school construction and the provision of learning materials, so that every child, without distinction, can learn in appropriate conditions.

The JRS Burundi–Tanzania Reintegration Project Manager reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the Government of Burundi in strengthening an inclusive, accessible, and high-quality education system. He also stressed the importance of continuing community awareness efforts on school reintegration and called on beneficiaries and returnees to take good care of the school infrastructure so that it can serve present and future generations sustainably.

These actions are part of the project “Contributing to Strengthened Access to Quality Inclusive Education in the Former Provinces of Cibitoke and Makamba – KOMEZA WIGE”, implemented by JRS Burundi–Tanzania with funding from the Education Cannot Wait fund, through UNICEF.

Through this project, JRS reaffirms its deep conviction: investing in education means investing in peace, resilience, and the future of communities.
Yet, needs remain immense. Many children continue to study in precarious conditions, without sufficient classrooms or adequate learning materials.