Date: October 14, 2024

Re: Urgent Call to Action: Unprecedented Education Crisis in Ethiopia, Amhara Region

We, members of the federation of Amhara associations in Europe, are writing to draw your attention to an alarming crisis in the education sector that is currently unfolding in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

The Scale of the Crisis :

Education in the Amhara region is facing an unprecedented crisis, the scale of which far exceeds previous  challenges in the region:

– Over 5 million students are currently deprived of education,

– out of an expected 7 million students, only 1.7 million have been able to enrol for the 2024 school year, representing an enrolment rate of just 24%[2]-

– More than 4.1 million children are out of school mainly due to the ongoing war and insecurity..

– At least 1,115 schools have been damaged due to the ongoing military campaign declared by the Ethiopian regime against the Amhara region.[1]

The Causes of this Crisis :

1. Armed Conflict: numerous  schools have been used as army bases by government troops, many have been destroyed by government drone or air strikes or shelled using heavy weapons and artillery fire. In the town of Debre Markos alone more than 20 schools have been requisitioned for military use, depriving thousands of children of their place of education.[2].

2. Widespread Insecurity: Persistent violence has led to the closure of many schools, deterring teachers from returning to work and parents from sending their children to schools. In some rural areas, the teacher absenteeism rate reaches 80%, as many fear for their safety.[2]. The inability or unwillingness of the government to pay teachers salary as purchasing arms and military hardware is the regime’s priority to extend its grip on power is another  contributing factor.  

3. Destruction of Infrastructure: Numerous schools  have been deliberately damaged or destroyed, and  their equipment has  been looted often by the government troops. In  Gojjam alone  more than 200 schools have been completely destroyed, erasing decades of investment in education. There are reports of discussions and decisions by the regime’s elite to deliberately destroy civilian infrastructure including schools to drive the region into further economic chaos and poverty by doing so to punish the population  for its widespread support for the Fano resistance. The regime has failed to see its campaign of collective punishment, public executions of innocent people, the looting and destruction the regimes army is practicing, the gang rapes of women and girls including children by the government troops, the gross human rights violations and atrocities committed against ordinary civilians is driving the population to the arms of the Fano. But the government forces continue with their brutal military campaign,  use of sexual violence, economic isolation and food insecurity and shortages as an instrument of war. The destruction or conversion of schools, hospitals and places of worship into military bases is the part of deliberate campaign against the region just like it was demonstrated in the war against the Tigray region of Ethiopia. 

4.Nationwide Humanitarian crisis: internal  displacements and food insecurity have severely affected families’ ability to send  their children to school. In some internally displaced person camps, up to 90% of children have no access to education[3].

5. Teacher Shortage: Many teachers have fled conflict zones, creating a critical educational void. In some regions, the teachers to students ratio has risen   from 40:1 to more than  100:1, making quality teaching   impossible.[2].

The Dramatic Consequences

In the short term:

– Abrupt interruption of education for millions of children, creating learning gaps that are difficult to bridge.

– Alarming increase in child labour and teen marriages as survival strategies[1].

– Deep psychological trauma demoralising  students and teachers[4].

– It will result in a lack of educated manpower in the future.

In the long term:

– Lack of Education  for an entire generation, with repercussions on at least two decades of negative impact on economic development[1].

– Increased risk of radicalization among youth deprived of education[1].

– Exacerbation of gender inequalities, as girls are often the first to be withdrawn from school and subjected to early marriages or or they are forced to commit suicide.[1].

A Call to Action 

Faced with this unprecedented crisis, we call on the international community to act 

1. We call for the establishment of a substantial emergency fund for education in the Amhara region [1].

2. We urge international bodies to adopt a strong resolution condemning attacks on schools,  their use as army bases and demanding their immediate protection[4].

3. We propose the rapid development and deployment of alternative education programs using radio, mobile phones, and other accessible technologies[2].

4. We call for the deployment of trained trauma counsellors to support students,  teachers and all affected people  in the Amhara Region [4].

5. We propose the implementation of an accelerated training program for recruitment of new local teachers to replace those who fled the conflict[2].

6.  We call for the establishment of an independent education observatory in Amhara[1].

For successful implementation of these mechanisms it is imperative that the Ethiopian regime stops its genocidal military campaign, pull its troops out of  the Amhara region and find a peaceful solution to the conflict as its plan to crush the resistance within two weeks has led to an ongoing military campaign for more than a year with clear signs that the regime is  losing more ground to the Fano both morally and militarily. 

We implore you to act now. Your commitment and support can transform this crisis into an opportunity to rebuild a more resilient and inclusive education system. A rapid and thorough needs assessment, followed by coordinated and well-funded action, can make a crucial difference in the lives of millions of children.

We remain at your disposal to collaborate in developing detailed action plans and implementing urgent and sustainable solutions. The current generation of children in Amhara cannot wait – let us act now to give them the future they deserve.

With hope for swift and decisive action,

Yours sincerely,

Federation of Amhara Association in Europe

—

Sources:

[1] East African Review, “Ethiopia’s Education System in Crisis: Conflict, Climate Shocks, and Systemic Failures Leave Millions of Children Without Access to Learning” 

https://eastafricanreview.info/2024/09/19/ethiopias-education-system-in-crisis-conflict-climate-shocks-and-systemic-failures-leave-millions-of-children-without-access-to-learning/

[2] East African Review, “Schools in Ethiopia Amhara Region Re-purposed as Military Bases: The Impact of PM Abiy’s War on Education” 

https://eastafricanreview.info/2024/09/21/schools-in-ethiopias-amhara-region-re-purposed-as-military-bases-the-impact-of-pm-abiys-war-on-education/

[3] Borkena, “Over 3,283 civilians casualties reported in the Amhara region” 

https://borkena.com/2024/09/21/ethiopia-over-3283-civilians-casualties-reported-in-amhara-region/

[4] Addis Standard, “Two teachers killed by ‘armed militants’ amid conflict, school disruption in East Gojjam of Amhara region” https://addisstandard.com/news-two-teachers-killed-by-armed-militants-amid-conflict-school-disruption-in-east-gojjam-of-amhara-region/

5) 2024 Ethiopian Defense Force members allegedly raped 35 girls in South Gondar

July 16, 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://borkena.com/2024/07/16/ethiopian-defense-force-members-allegedly-raped-35-girls-in-south-gondar