The Dream of an Education in Ethiopia: Investments in Tigray
Education investments in Tigray delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait are sowing the seeds of peace and prosperity as a region and a nation embrace the transformational power of learning.
Education is one of the most powerful agents of change in the world. It’s an investment in peace, sustainable development and resilience. In Ethiopia’s Tigray Region, girls and boys are learning to dream again as joint programming comes together to provide children with the safety, hope and opportunity that only a quality education can provide.
These impactful investments are being delivered through UNICEF and a broad consortium of international and local partners with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises in the United Nations.
Through the innovative joint programming — which is rehabilitating schools, training teachers and providing learning materials to crisis-impacted girls and boys — the dream of a brighter future is closer than ever.
The Frekalsi Primary School in Tigray is a simple place with desks, a chalkboard, eager students and dedicated teachers. Everything you need to build a vibrant hub for children to learn, grow and thrive.
“I go to school to learn about everything and to expand my mind. I feel happy when my mind is rejuvenated. I want to get good results, become a doctor, and I am always happy with my education,” says Merhawit, a bright 12-year-old girl that goes to the Frekalsi School.
ECW programs have reached nearly 500,000 children in Ethiopia since 2016
Since 2016, ECW has invested more than $93 million in Ethiopia. These programs have reached close to 500,000 children, including 160,000 refugees and 145,000 internally displaced children. In all, more than 700 classrooms have been built or rehabilitated, and about 4,000 teachers have received financial support and training.
“I want to help the next generation succeed. Working hard to teach these kids pays off when you see their achievements. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see them become professionals like doctors or teachers. You realize the value of your efforts through their success. This happiness and pride are why I chose this career,” says Memher Beray Nigussie, a teacher at the Frekalsi Primary School.
I want to help the next generation succeed. Working hard to teach these kids pays off when you see their achievements. — Memher Beray Nigussie, teacher
Other students in the school are seeing their dreams turn to reality as they study math, history, science, language and arts.
Rahow, 13, is thriving in the school. “I love all subjects and enjoy learning everything,” says Rahow. “School will make my dreams come true!”
Climate-related disasters, conflict and forced displacement have pushed an estimated 9 million children out of school
Ethiopia has suffered from a recurrent drought, made worse by climate change, which has impacted the lives and life-long trajectories for many children in Tigray — most of whom live in poverty and struggle to meet basic needs. Twelve-year-old Samuel is interested in environmental science. “I love this topic as it will help me clean up the world,” says Samuel.
Despite these positive improvements, the challenges ahead are great. In all, approximately 9 million children are out of school in Ethiopia today as the result of violence, climate-induced disasters and widespread forced displacement. This is a three-fold increase from 2022. The nation already hosts the third-largest refugee population in Africa, and a spike in new arrivals from Sudan and Somalia is spreading resources thin.
ECW programs are bringing children back into the classroom
To address the issues, Education Cannot Wait is coming together with strategic donors and key partners such as UNICEF to scale up resources.
On a recent high-level UN Mission to Tigray, ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif announced a new $5 million First Emergency Response grant.
The education crisis in Ethiopia is one of the largest silent crises in the world today. — Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director
“The education crisis in Ethiopia is one of the largest silent crises in the world today. Yet, we are seeing the impressive impact of ECW’s investments. Girls and boys who are back in school after enduring years of conflict told us they want to move beyond their experience of conflict, learn and achieve their dreams of becoming teachers, nurses, pilots and lawyers. We now need to support them and urgently appeal to strategic donor partners for additional financing,” says Sherif.
Taken together with other international efforts to deliver on the global promise of universal education as outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, these joint programs are part of a broader vision as a nation — and a world community — invests in Ethiopia’s most precious natural resource: its children.
“I want to know about everything, because it will help me distinguish between what is useful and what is not. I want to be knowledgeable about everything,” says Merhawit, who continues to push herself to reach her dream of studying medicine. “I want to be a doctor to prevent people from getting sick and to help those who are ill — for my health, my family, my neighbors and the community in general. I want to heal people.”
For girls like Merhawit, it would seem that their dreams can come true.
HOW TO HELP
There are many ways to make a difference
War, famine, poverty, natural disasters — threats to the world's children keep coming. But UNICEF won't stop working to keep children healthy and safe.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories — more places than any other children's organization. UNICEF has the world's largest humanitarian warehouse and, when disaster strikes, can get supplies almost anywhere within 72 hours. Constantly innovating, always advocating for a better world for children, UNICEF works to ensure that every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected and respected.
Would you like to help give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential? There are many ways to get involved.
