Ethiopia’s Education Crisis: Conflict and Natural Disasters

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Ethiopia's Children Face Educational Emergency

Millions of children in Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara region, are out of school. This crisis stems from ongoing conflict, pervasive insecurity, and devastating natural disasters (theconversation.com). As of November 2024, approximately 10,000 schools across the nation suffered damage, and over 6,000 schools remained closed. These closures are a direct result of conflict, violence, and natural disasters (theconversation.com).

The regions most severely affected include Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Somali, and Afar (theconversation.com). In August 2024, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that more than 5,500 schools were out of service across various regions. This situation severely violates citizens' right to education (bbc.com). The EHRC specified that 5,564 schools in eight of Ethiopia's twelve regions were non-operational, preventing millions of children from attending classes (bbc.com). The Amhara region alone reported that over 2.6 million students were out of school during the 2016 Ethiopian academic year, which corresponds to the 2023/2024 Gregorian calendar (bbc.com).

Conflict Fuels Educational Disruption

Conflict, especially in the Amhara region, is a primary cause of school closures and educational disruption. The conflict between the federal government and the 'Fano' (Amhara militias) in the Amhara region intensified in April 2023 (gov.uk). This has led to widespread disruptions. Furthermore, schools have been targeted by warring parties, destroyed, and even used as military camps by armed groups (bbc.com).

In May 2024, a drone attack on a school in Kewet woreda, North Shewa Zone, Amhara region, tragically killed civilians and injured teachers during a parent-teacher meeting (bbc.com). The conflict in Amhara is characterized as a widespread popular revolt, featuring regular Fano guerrilla attacks and increasing reports of civilian massacres (foreignpolicy.com). These ongoing hostilities make it incredibly difficult to maintain a stable learning environment for children.

Impact of Conflict on Ethiopian Schools (November 2024)

10,000+

Schools damaged across Ethiopia.

6,000+

Schools closed due to conflict and violence.

5,564

Schools out of service in 8 of Ethiopia's 12 regions (as of August 2024).

2.6 Million

Students out of school in Amhara region (2023/2024 academic year).

Data compiled from various reports on the educational crisis in Ethiopia. Source: theconversation.com, bbc.com

Vulnerabilities of Out-of-School Children

The lack of education exposes children to severe vulnerabilities and long-term negative impacts. Children who are out of school are susceptible to involuntary labor, substance abuse, and depression (africanews.com). For girls, being out of school significantly increases the risk of forced arranged marriages and early pregnancy (africanews.com). The EHRC commissioner emphasized that years spent out of school are akin to "stealing" years from a child's life (bbc.com).

This situation has a profound negative impact on the current generation and the country as a whole (bbc.com). Children who miss out on early education face lifelong disadvantages. These include limited employment opportunities and a greater vulnerability to poverty and social exclusion (theconversation.com). There is also an increased risk of child labor and other forms of exploitation for children who are not in school (theconversation.com).

Financial Hurdles and Resource Scarcity

Financial constraints and a lack of resources further exacerbate Ethiopia's educational crisis. In some relatively peaceful areas, regional administrations have been unable to pay teachers' salaries (bbc.com). This directly disrupts the teaching and learning process. The Amhara Regional State Education Bureau estimates that $800 million is needed to repair schools damaged by years of conflict and resume educational activities (africanews.com).

There is an urgent need to invest in and expand school feeding programs for over 1 million primary school children affected by school closures (humanitarianresponse.info). However, this effort remains constrained by a lack of food items, funding, and partners (humanitarianresponse.info). School feeding programs are critical because they provide essential nutrition, which improves children's health and concentration. They also act as an incentive for families to send their children to school, thereby boosting enrollment and retention, especially in vulnerable communities.

Estimated Cost for School Repairs in Amhara

This is the estimated amount needed by the Amhara Regional State Education Bureau to repair schools damaged by conflict and resume educational activities.

Source: africanews.com

Addressing the Crisis: Current Efforts and Challenges

Efforts are underway to address the educational crisis, but significant challenges remain. The Amhara region has launched a massive registration campaign targeting 7.4 million students for the 2025/2026 academic year (africanews.com). The Amhara Regional State Education Bureau has allocated a substantial budget to train over 10,000 teachers and school leaders (africanews.com). Additionally, more than 24,000 other educators have already received training through the Ministry of Education (africanews.com).

The EHRC has engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Education, regional education bureaus, and non-governmental organizations (bbc.com). They are urging relevant stakeholders to take swift and coordinated action to address the problem (bbc.com). There is a call to bring 2.9 million out-of-school children back to learning and provide teaching and learning materials to over 2.7 million children (humanitarianresponse.info). Rehabilitation of 8,666 damaged schools is also needed, including gender-sensitive WASH facilities, and providing temporary learning spaces (humanitarianresponse.info). UNICEF's appeal aims to support critical life-saving interventions, including life-sustaining inclusive education (unicef.org). Efforts also include advocating for safe school environments and offering Accelerated Education Programmes (humanitarianresponse.info).

Psychological Support and Community Resilience

The vulnerabilities faced by out-of-school children, such as depression and substance abuse, highlight a critical need for psychosocial support. A plan is in place to build capacity for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for over 150,000 teachers, school leaders, and zonal and woreda education personnel (humanitarianresponse.info). This MHPSS training aims to support the community and children in coping with the challenging situation and continuing their learning (humanitarianresponse.info).

Community and parental roles are crucial in navigating this crisis. Concerned parents have launched campaigns using slogans such as “No child should be out of school” and “Building tomorrow through education today” (africanews.com). These grassroots efforts demonstrate a strong desire within communities to prioritize education despite the overwhelming obstacles. Officials should also be advocated to safely vacate schools occupied by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and armed forces (humanitarianresponse.info). This will ensure children have access to safe and protective environments for learning (humanitarianresponse.info).

Children Out of School in Ethiopia (2023-2024)

9 Million+
Children nationwide out of school due to conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and economic hardships.

4.4 Million
Children in Amhara did not attend school last year, the highest number in Ethiopia.

Data from UNICEF and other reports. Source: theconversation.com, africanews.com

The Road Ahead for Ethiopian Education

The educational crisis in Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara region, presents a multifaceted challenge. The interplay of conflict, insecurity, and natural disasters has created an environment where millions of children are deprived of their fundamental right to education. This situation has immediate and long-term consequences, impacting children's well-being, future opportunities, and the overall development of the nation. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has highlighted the severity of this issue, emphasizing that years out of school equate to "stealing" years from a child's life (bbc.com).

Despite the immense obstacles, there are concerted efforts to reverse this trend. The Amhara region's ambitious registration campaign and significant investment in teacher training demonstrate a commitment to rebuilding the educational infrastructure (africanews.com). However, these efforts require sustained support and coordination from all stakeholders, including the government, international partners like UNICEF, and local communities. Addressing the financial gaps, ensuring the safety of schools, and providing comprehensive psychosocial support are crucial steps toward ensuring that every child in Ethiopia has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.