Building a Strong Foundation to Improve Learning Outcomes in Ethiopia
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Loading... - Brenda Opuku
- 13 Sep 2024
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Ethiopia has made significant strides in enhancing the quality of education through the General Education Quality Improvement Program for Equity (GEQIP-E). Launched in 2017, GEQIP-E has implemented targeted interventions across all primary and secondary public schools, focusing on improving internal efficiency, equitable access, and the overall quality of education.
The O-Class program, introduced in 2010, provides pre-primary children with a strong foundation for handling primary school challenges. As of 2023, the program has benefited over 2.3 million children, and the government has extended it to a two-year pre-primary program. The program has achieved an 88% transition rate to grade two, despite challenges such as the impact of COVID-19 and recent conflicts on school attendance.
The O-Class program has necessitated the modification of previous methods of instructing young children. GEQIP-E provides O-Class training programs for teachers and school administrators on how to teach pre-primary children. The program has also delivered a training and coaching program for teachers, school leaders, and supervisors, focusing on developing digital skills among secondary school teachers.
GEQIP-E has made significant progress in ensuring equitable access to education. Over 72% of primary schools are now equipped to support girls' enrollment and retention through the establishment of gender clubs at the school level. The program has also established 1,400 Inclusive Education Resource Centers nationwide, providing essential services to over 148,528 students, 52% of whom are girls with special needs.
GEQIP-E has been evolving to address the emergency needs of the education sector, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The program has supported the rehabilitation of schools affected by the recent conflict and provided psychosocial support to school community members. GEQIP-E has also constructed 500 classrooms in 50 primary schools in conflict-affected areas, estimated to enroll approximately 22,500 students.
Key Achievements
- Over 2.3 million children have benefited from the O-Class program
- 88% transition rate to grade two achieved
- 102,117 teachers have been trained through GEQIP-E
- 72% of primary schools are equipped to support girls' enrollment and retention
- 1,400 Inclusive Education Resource Centers established nationwide
- 52 refugee schools and 1,346 refugee incentive teachers have benefited from GEQIP-E support
Overall, GEQIP-E has made significant progress in improving learning outcomes in Ethiopia, despite the challenges posed by conflict and other factors. The program's focus on improving internal efficiency, equitable access, and quality of education has yielded positive results, and its efforts to support education in post-conflict settings have been critical in ensuring the continuity of educational services.
