Programmes Entirely Dedicated to Teacher Training
The Institute of Applied Pedagogy has a unique purpose: to train teachers for the Burundian education system. All its programmes are geared towards this goal, and this is what sets the Institute apart from a traditional subject faculty. Students do not study mathematics or French for their own sake, but in order to be able to teach them, which requires a dual competence: mastering the content and knowing how to teach it.
Created in 1993 by Decree No. 100/147 of 14 October 1993, replacing the former Pedagogical Institute founded in 1979, the Institute opened its doors in the 1994-1995 academic year. It was then organised in two cycles: a three-year first cycle leading to a teaching diploma, and a two-year second cycle leading to the Licence in Applied Pedagogy.
As part of the modernisation of Burundian higher education and its alignment with international standards, the University of Burundi adopted the Bachelor's–Master's–Doctorate system from the 2011-2012 academic year. The Institute adapted its programmes accordingly and now awards two degrees: the Bachelor's, in three years, and the Master's, in two years.
The Two Levels of Study
Bachelor's
Three years, 180 credits, six departments. The initial training that prepares you to teach your subject, in Languages or Sciences.
Master's
Two years, 120 credits, eight specialisations. Advanced professional or research training that opens the way to educational leadership roles and doctoral studies.
Two Major Fields: Languages and Sciences
The programmes are organised along the same lines at both levels: Languages on one side, Sciences on the other. This division covers the main subjects taught in Burundian schools and allows students to follow a coherent path from the Bachelor's to the Master's in their field.
At Bachelor's level, the six departments are divided equally between the two fields. The Language departments are English, French and Kirundi–Swahili. The Science departments are Biology–Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics–Technology. These subject groupings reflect the reality in schools, where the same teacher often teaches two related subjects.
At Master's level, the eight specialisations are also divided equally between the two fields. In Languages, the Institute offers the Master's in TESOL, devoted to teaching English to speakers of other languages, as well as the Master's in French, Kirundi and Swahili. In Sciences, it offers the Master's in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Moving from the Bachelor's to the Master's involves finer specialisation: whereas a Bachelor's department covers two related subjects, the Master's focuses on just one.
Training Rooted in Practice
Whatever the level or subject, the Institute's programmes rest on a common principle: alternating between theoretical learning and real-life situations. Lectures and seminars are complemented by practical work, projects and placements in schools and laboratories.
This requirement reflects the reality of the profession. Teachers are not trained simply by hearing about pedagogy: they learn by preparing lessons, delivering them to pupils, seeing what works and what fails, and revising their practice. Periods of classroom immersion, supervised by experienced teachers, therefore play an important part in all programmes.
At Master's level, the programme also has a research dimension. To be awarded the degree, students must submit an original thesis on a concrete question in the subject and defend it publicly before an academic panel. Depending on the pathway followed, the Master's awarded is either professional or research-oriented, the latter opening the possibility of doctoral studies according to the programmes and structures of the University of Burundi.
The Institute also provides continuing education for in-service teachers and supports school curriculum reforms, two missions included among its official objectives.