MUYINGA, April 20 (ABP) – The ministry of youth, sports and culture, in collaboration with the ministry of national education and scientific research, organ ized on Friday, April 17, 2026, the award ceremony for the essay writing competition in basic schools, for its 7th edition, an onsite check by ABP has revealed.
These ceremonies took place within the premises of the Petit Séminaire Saint Pie X High School of Muyinga.
In her speech, the minister of youth, sports and culture, Mrs. Lydia Nsekera, indicated that the mentioned school was chosen among others to host the event because it has particularly distinguished itself in this essay competition, winning several prizes, including a total of 16.
She also specified that each year, the ministry changes the location of the award ceremony, and that this time it was Muyinga’s turn.
Mrs. Nsekera thanked the ministry of education and scientific research for its support to this competition. She emphasized that the results obtained reflect this collaboration, with around 80 students having participated in this edition.
She also recalled, as had been announced in Mugera, that the government led by President Évariste Ndayishimiye, considered a friend of the youth, will spare no effort to support and promote young people.
The rewards have been doubled, she specified: previously, only the top three were awarded in Kirundi and French, but now Swahili and English have been added in order to broaden perspectives, given that Burundi collaborates with countries using these languages.
The government has therefore increased the resources allocated to these four languages now used in the competition, she added.
Minister Nsekera congratulated the students for their commitment, stating that if they continue on this path, their future will be even better.
She encouraged school principals, teachers as well as supervisors to continue to value knowledge, particularly essay writing.
She also thanked provincial education officials for their contribution, as well as school heads and teachers who supported the students in writing essays.
She finally invited school authorities to further support and encourage students in order to increase the number of participants.
Aline Munyaneza, Director General at the ministry of sports and culture, indicated that this essay competition began in 2011, while specifying that there were years when it was not organized for various reasons.
She added that 68 schools have already participated in this competition and that 168 students have taken part, including 27 who have won prizes several times.
On that day, the ten best students were awarded in each language, making a total of 40 laureates. Among them, some competed in several languages, such as one student who participated in Kirundi, French and English during the last two school years, ranking among the best each time.
Mrs. Munyaneza also announced the launch of the 8th edition of the competition, with themes focused on good governance, patriotism and behavior change.
Léonidas Maniragaba, initiator of the “Tour du Burundi pour l’éducation” in 2023 and contributor to essay writing, thanked all those who supported him as well as those who helped young people correct their work.
Mr. Maniragaba suggested that all essays written by students be compiled, properly corrected and promoted, notably to be performed (staged).
He also recommended that teachers themselves participate in this type of competition in order to improve their skills and better encourage students.
Note that schools were also rewarded according to their overall performance, and that the supervisors who contributed to correcting the essays were not forgotten.