At just 18 years old,
Fueled by a burning determination to excel in this year's pivotal national exams, Desalegn harbored ambitious aspirations of becoming his village's first-ever doctor. Yet, with his school forcibly closed for months due to the escalating violence in the vicinity, his cherished dreams now dangle precariously by a fraying thread.
With his school closed for months due to nearby hostilities, Desalegn has been forced to return to his family's impoverished farm, situated even further away. The devastating effects of the conflict extend beyond the classroom, as shelling has also destroyed part of his family's ripening crops.
"My parents have lost all hope of classes resuming again," Desalegn told Addis Standard over the phone.
Cut off from his studies and devoid of access to preparatory materials for the coming grade 12 exam, Desalegn's spirit is crushed. "As a grade 12 student facing these vital exams, I find myself without any means to continue my education independently," he said. "As hope has escaped me, I must now contemplate seeking alternative employment."
The dream of attending university seems increasingly out of reach for not only Desalegn but for millions of primary and secondary students in a war-stricken Amhara region, amplifying the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict.
The Amhara region remains entrenched in a state of conflict, with ongoing clashes between the federal government and the non-state militia, Fano, creating a highly precarious security situation. These confrontations have impeded vital infrastructure development and essential public services, paralyzing everyday civilian activities.
Education under threat from conflict
The conflict's impact is far-reaching, causing the destruction of school infrastructure. Recently, the
The education sector in the region has been severely affected, with universities recently declaring the suspension of academic activities due to the ongoing conflict.
In a statement released by the
The primary and secondary levels of education are no different. In early October, the
In the past month, there has been a semblance of normalcy in areas less impacted by the ongoing conflict. Regional authorities have reported a cautious resumption of schooling in these areas, with 60% of primary school students and 55% of secondary school students attending classes.
As a grade 12 student facing a vital exam, I find myself without any means to continue my education."A student in the
Teachers and administrators are currently engaged in discussions regarding effective strategies to assist sixth, eighth, and twelfth graders in catching up on academic progress as they get ready for significant regional and national examinations this year. However, Mulunesh has underscored the importance of stability in order for education to fully resume without encountering any additional disruptions.
According to Amsale, urban students, too, are experiencing a noticeable decrease in attendance due to growing parental anxieties following recent incidents in nearby areas.
The teacher also highlighted that chronic absenteeism is posing a significant hindrance to learning progress, especially for students in crucial Grades 8 and 12, who are required to sit for high-stakes nationwide examinations. "While teachers are employing various strategies to help prepare their pupils, consistent attendance and active engagement from students are fundamental prerequisites for reasonable success in these exams," she explained.
Amsale firmly asserts that in order for education services to return to normal and for students to achieve the expected outcomes in the upcoming high-stakes tests, security conditions in the region need to stabilize, and violence must cease.
"It is crucial that attendance levels increase sustainably going forward," she said. "This will allow for a conducive learning environment and give students the necessary opportunity to excel academically."
Many students and teachers are currently grappling with the added burden of limited resources in schools. Two weeks ago, the regional education bureau announced its efforts to address this issue by distributing educational resources worth over
During a visit to the factory premises on
Unfortunately, students in the Amhara region also experience shortages of school supplies such as student exercise books. Nevertheless, officials assure that this problem will be promptly resolved. Recently, Mulunesh announced that the bureau has issued a tender to procure exercise books worth
The delivery of textbooks is experiencing delays as well. As per the
Education crisis worsening by drought
Unfortunately, the impact on school attendance levels in the Amhara region extends beyond conflicts, as the ongoing drought is worsening the already fragile education system in the area.
According to a recent report by Addis Standard, the Sehala district in the Amhara region, which is severely affected by drought, experienced a notable decline in student attendance at the beginning of the new school year. As a consequence of the persistent drought, more than 6,000 students who were previously enrolled in the district have been compelled to withdraw from school or were unable to register.
Situated in the
According to education officials, there has been a concerning increase in the number of students in
Local residents have also indicated that the worsening water shortage has compelled many parents to withdraw their children from school, as they now need their assistance in animal herding and finding work to provide for their families. As a result of this large-scale migration, the education of numerous students has been severely disrupted.
The situation in Jan Amora district, located in the
Last year, Alemu witnessed thousands of students walking for hours every day from various parts of the district to study. However, now he only sees around 100 to 150 students.
Alemu, who has been a resident of Mesha Kebele for a long time, also mentioned that he heard reports indicate all primary schools in the rural outskirts of Jan Amora have been completely shut down.
Many families are choosing to keep their children at home to ensure their safety rather than risk sending them to school each day."An elementary school teacher in
"As families have resorted to distress migration towards urban centers in search of livelihood opportunities, younger children are disappearing from the schools," Alemu revealed.
Recently, Shegaw Tesema, the head of Jan Amora district, highlighted several challenges the area faces due to persistent drought conditions. In an interview with Addis Standard, Shegaw disclosed that severe water shortages have forced residents of two administrative units to relocate in search of water supplies. Furthermore, he indicated that the lack of veterinary medicines and animal feed has led to a substantial rise in livestock mortality throughout the district.
Multiple primary and secondary schools in Jan Amora districts also lack essential learning materials such as textbooks and writing implements. As a result, students are forced to reuse materials from previous academic years.
While the district has managed to prevent human deaths from starvation that were previously occurring, Shegaw acknowledges that the drought continues to affect the education sector, leading to high dropout rates as families struggle with the economic consequences.
"There is an urgent need for further support for communities affected by the drought and investments to enhance their resilience," stressed Shegaw.
The predicament faced by students like Desalegn encapsulates the profound reverberations of the ongoing conflict and persistent drought, leaving countless young minds like his teetering on the precipice of shattered dreams.
As peace continues to elude the region, the urgent need for support and opportunities becomes increasingly imperative, lest an entire generation be left stranded without the chance to fulfill their aspirations.
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