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Ethiopia Leads the Way in Inclusive Education, Schools enroll over 173,000 Refugee Students

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Ebenezer Mensah
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Ethiopia has successfully enrolled over 173,000 refugee students from pre-primary to higher education <br> Image Credit: World Vision International

Ethiopia's Commitment to Inclusion

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In a remarkable display of commitment to inclusivity, Ethiopia's Ministry of Education has disclosed that hundreds of thousands of refugee students from neighboring countries are now enrolled in schools under regional administrations. The government's initiative aims to create an inclusive learning environment for refugee students, allowing them to access education alongside host communities.

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This progressive step was highlighted in the Ministry's report to the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR), emphasizing Ethiopia's dedication to fulfilling its promise to the international community.

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During the presentation of the Ministry's nine-month performance to Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 23, 2023, Minister Berhanu Nega (Prof.) shared the impressive enrollment figures.

Ethiopia has successfully enrolled over 173,000 refugee students from pre-primary to higher education. Minister Berhanu emphasized the significance of hosting refugees who seek asylum in neighboring countries due to man-made or natural disasters. Providing social services, including education, is a core commitment of Ethiopia to address the needs of these vulnerable populations.

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Inclusive Education at All Levels And Ethiopia's Progressive Policies

The Ministry's data revealed that since the beginning of the current budget year, 47 pre-primary schools have enrolled 48,117 young learners, while 51 primary schools have welcomed 109,578 students. Additionally, 10 secondary schools are providing education to approximately 14,345 refugee pupils. Minister Berhanu further mentioned that 1,060 refugee students are receiving scholarships at 32 higher education institutions across the country. These efforts extend the reach of inclusive education, ensuring that refugee students have access to educational opportunities at all levels.

Ethiopia's commitment to inclusive education for refugees is deeply rooted in its policies. The country's education blueprint, known as Education Sector Development Plan VI, incorporates refugee schooling for the first time. This shift has been praised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as it paves the way for the integration of refugee education into the national system.

Furthermore, the Refugee Proclamation, passed in 2019, grants refugees access to educational opportunities, enabling them to pursue scholarly endeavors.

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