Modern Education In Ethiopia Essay

The traditional education system of Ethiopia was religiously oriented for centuries (Teshome, 1979:5) and dominated by males (Mebratu et al 2004:21). The Orthodox Church from about the 4th century and Islam from about the 7th century had established religious education in their religious realms (Dufera, 2005:3). Church education had maintained its domination until the end of 19th century and slowed at the beginning of the modern education. Nevertheless, attempts by European missionaries to introduce modern education in the 16th and 17th century failed (Dufera, 2005:3).

Modern education was introduced to the late 19th century as a result of establishing a central state authority and permanent urban seat of power, the arrival of foreign embassies

However, the Italian occupation of Ethiopia from 1935 to 1941 disrupted the emerging education of the country (Dufera, 2005:5). After 1941, Ethiopian education experienced consecutive changes in political and economic

That attempt to modernize and expand education was shown in increased schools and enrollment. But, the expansion and enrollment were not fair because most schools were built in big urban centers and were exclusively for the elites (Negash, 2006:13).

There were two major attempts on the history of the Universal Primary Education in Ethiopian education after 1960 (Negash, 2006:13). All Africans were attempting first to universalize primary education in 1980 as declared in Addis Ababa.

The Second was the Ethiopian government attempt to realize Universal Primary Education in 2000 based on the Education Sector Review of 1971/2 conducted by Ethiopians and international experts. However, the Education Sector Review itself was disrupted in 1974. The education system of the emperor Haile Sellassie period had increased access and achieved certain outcomes. But, the system was inefficient and inequitable having a little level of enrollment in the African standard (Dufera,