Shaping a technologically savvy, patriotic generation equipped to protect Ethiopia's national interests has been the driving force behind a sweeping, three-and-a-half-year overhaul of the nation's education system.
In a recent interview with ETV, Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega outlined the monumental strides taken to elevate educational quality, noting that reforms range from comprehensive curriculum updates to tightening national exam administration and clamping down on cheating.
Over the past three and a half years, community-driven mobilization has generated 146 billion birr, funding the construction of more than 17,000 new schools. Alongside this massive expansion, over 36,000 existing schools have been fully renovated to improve learning environments.
The footprint of early childhood education has also grown exponentially, with pre-primary schools surging from 4,000 to 36,000 to ensure every district across the country has access to a learning institution. Complementing these infrastructure gains, the ministry has distributed over 45 million secondary school textbooks tied to the new curriculum, while upgrading the teaching capacity of 120,000 to 130,000 educators through modern pedagogical methods.
The modernization drive extends deep into technology and educational resources. This year, all secondary schools are set to feature fully equipped digital libraries and laboratories. Furthermore, universities will be linked via high-speed fiber-optic technology within the next four months, granting students free access to international educational databases.
Bolstering foundational learning further, the ministry has partnered with the British Council on a 5 million pound project to enhance English language proficiency among seventh and eighth-grade students through targeted teacher training and instructional materials.
Concluding his remarks, Professor Berhanu emphasized that the government remains fully committed to its long-term goals. The relentless push to modernize exam protocols, eradicate academic dishonesty, and cultivate a skilled, identity-grounded generation will continue with unwavering momentum.
