Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
Over 5,500 Schools Are No Longer Operational, With the Majority Located in the Amhara Region
August 10, 2024
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has reported that more than 5,500 schools across various regions of Ethiopia have ceased their teaching and learning activities due to ongoing conflicts and other reasons.
As a result of these closures, the right to education for citizens in the country is "severely compromised," according to officials from the EHRC who spoke to the BBC.
The Commission (EHRC) has stated that due to conflicts and natural disasters in various regions, schools have been closed and repurposed for other uses. This situation has put the right to education in Ethiopia in a precarious state, according to the commission.
The Commission (EHRC) highlighted that out of the 12 regions in Ethiopia, 8 regions have seen 5,564 schools go out of service due to various conflicts and natural disasters. This disruption has displaced millions of children from their education.
Rigbe Gebrehawaria, the Commissioner for Women's, Children's, Elders', and Persons with Disabilities Rights at the EHRC, stated that the right to education in the country is in a critical state. This was reported to the BBC, emphasizing the concerning situation affecting vulnerable populations, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Rigbe mentioned that schools are being closed due to both human-made and natural disasters. In some areas, schools are also being used as shelters for internally displaced persons, further hindering their primary purpose as educational institutions.
Additionally, Rigbe noted that in regions affected by conflict some schools have been repurposed as military camps and are being used by armed groups. He also pointed out that the reconstruction process in former conflict zones, such as Tigray, is not progressing as quickly as it should be.
Commissioner Rigbe also stated that over the past years, and in ongoing conflicts, schools have not only been targeted for attacks by warring parties but have also been repurposed as military camps by combatant groups. This has further exacerbated the disruption of education in these areas.
“In various areas, schools are being targeted by combatants—they are being damaged and destroyed. Additionally, some of these locations are being repurposed for other uses, such as military camps,” said Commissioner Rigbe.
In May, a drone strike targeted a school in Tere Kebelle, located in the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region. The strike occurred during a meeting of a parents' association, resulting in the death of civilians and injuries to teachers. Eyewitnesses and affected families reported the incident to the BBC.
Furthermore, even in relatively peaceful areas, the teaching and learning process has been disrupted because regional administrations have been unable to pay teachers' salaries. This issue has further exacerbated the challenges faced by the education system in these regions.
It was also reported that in the newly established Southern Ethiopia and Central Ethiopia regions, schools are being closed due to delays and failures in paying teachers' salaries on time. This issue is contributing to the ongoing disruption of education in these regions.
In a previous report by the BBC, it was mentioned that in the Wolayta Zone, teachers have been unable to go to schools due to delayed salaries, leading to students being left without education.
They stated, "A person cannot teach on an empty stomach. It is also unreasonable to pressure teachers to work without paying their salaries."
Commissioner Rigbe, agreeing with the teachers' perspective, stated, "It is unrealistic to expect teachers to provide services without being properly paid. The ongoing budgetary issues, which have led to delays in salary payments, are having a significant negative impact on education."
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The Commission stated that it has been unable to determine the exact number of students who have dropped out of school at this time, based on the varied data released by governmental and non-governmental organizations.
However, the Commission, after analyzing data from multiple sources, estimates that over four million students are currently out of school.
The EHRC has reported that in the Amhara region, where conflicts are ongoing, more than 2.6 million students have been forced out of school during the 2024 (2016 EC) academic year.
The Commissioner stated that the students being forced away from their education is exposing them to "multiple violations of their rights." He emphasized that this ongoing situation is deeply concerning and represents a significant infringement on the rights of these students.
The Commissioner explained that the disruption of education is leading to significant rights violations, "female students are being forced into early marriages. Additionally, children are being exploited for labor and are also being forced to flee. The lack of access to education and families losing their source of income is pushing children into work at an early age, leading to exploitation of their labor and depriving them of their rights."
Commissioner Rigbe highlighted the severe damage caused by the disruption of education and the displacement of students over the past years. Urging immediate action, he stressed that "time is running out."
Commissioner Rigbe expressed deep concern about the long-term impact on students who have missed three to four years of schooling due to the disruptions. He emphasized that these lost years are irretrievable and equated them to a permanent loss in their lives. He highlighted that this situation not only affects the individuals but also has significant negative implications for the future of the country.
The EHRC has expressed concern over the worsening education crisis, particularly the threat to the right to education. In July, the EHRC engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Education, regional education bureaus, and non-governmental organizations to explore solutions to this critical issue.
The EHRC has urged relevant bodies to take swift and coordinated action to address the education crisis.
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