Our work in Ethiopia
The education system in Ethiopia is characterized by inadequate facilities (lack of basic education materials, shortage of buildings and furniture, dilapidated buildings, etc.) and low professional capacity (insufficient traning of staff, weak institutional capacity and limited community involvement in the management of schools). The curriculum is inadequate in responding to the needs and life challenges of the children and their families, and teachers do not have the necessary support and materials to successfully implement the curriculum. The school schedule conflicts with the work schedules of many children and their families. Moreover, sending children to school is too expensive for communities with very low economic status.
According to the Education Statistics Annual Abstract (2003-2004), the gross enrolment rate in primary education (grades 1-8) in Ethiopia is estimated at 68.4% (59.1% for girls and 77.4% for boys). The enrollment rate in Addis Ababa is 142.6% while it is 14.8% in Afar. The above numbers reflect a reality of immense differences in educational provision within the country. There are significant discrepancies in children's participation between urban and rural locations, between boys and girls and between/within regional states. The education system still falls short in facilitating the participation of disadvantaged groups such as working children, street children, children with disabilities, rural children, and girls.