In 2020, a total of 61,770 (82%) out of 75,654 school-aged children (3-17 years) in Mtendeli, Nduta and Nyarugusu have been enrolled in Early Childhood Development (ECD), primary, lower, and upper secondary schools. The students are enrolled in 100 schools and/or learning centres across the three camps. Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in ECD rose to 68% and enrolment in Fundamental Education was 145%. Lower secondary enrollment stood at 35% and 7% for upper secondary. The gross enrolment ratio primary/ fundamental education was above 100% due to the inclusion of over-aged and under-aged students because of early or late entrants, and grade repetition. Net enrolment (age specific) at all levels was 52%. The Net Enrolment Ratio (NER) in ECD rose to 67% and enrolment in Fundamental Education to 97%. Lower secondary enrollment was at 7% and 1% for upper secondary. A low NER (below 100%) denotes a low degree of enrolment in education by the official school-age population.
UNHCR along with partners, has continued collaboration with NECTA in provision of special examination for Burundian students. In 2020, two exams sessions took place. A total of 1098 students took special examination that is equivalent to the Burundian national examination and among them 665 (60.79%) passed the exams. In November 2020, NECTA administered the Burundian Special Examination to 1067 (381 female) candidates and results are still awaited. A total of 64 Burundian refugees have been admitted to higher education programme in Tanzania.
As part of the systematic efforts to ensure safe learning environment, all education personnel and teachers were trained in the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse as well in teacher code of conduct. Education working group has also adopted a national action plan on mainstreaming of sexual and gender-based violence (gender-based violence) in education programming.
In 2020 considerate efforts were made to improve education management information systems to measure progress of education indicators towards the desired outcomes. Although this area remains to be a major challenge, the use common harmonized tools have been implemented pending rolling out of Global Refugee Management System (REMIS).
The implementation of educational technologies in advancing access to quality education continues to expand to Burundian refugee schools in Nyarugusu camp, through increase of facilities. This has been made possible through the Kolibri platform, which complements the existing Instant Network Schools (INS) programme. Kolibri also aims at improving quality education in refugee settings through the introduction of educational technology, resources, and teacher training.