Ethiopian Schools Face Human Rights Concerns Amid Ongoing Conflicts

Strategic Insights -

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has reported numerous human rights violations in schools, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions. The commission's monitoring highlighted threats, intimidation, and sexual harassment of female students by teachers and their peers. Additionally, overcrowded classrooms, lack of school clinics, and health professional shortages were observed. The commission urged stakeholders to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission identified threats, intimidation, and sexual harassment of female students by teachers and peers in schools, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions.
  • Overcrowded classrooms, absence of school clinics, and shortages of health professionals were observed in monitored schools.
  • The lack of child protection and anti-discrimination policies in all monitored schools was highlighted as a serious human rights concern.
  • The commission noted the presence of khat, shisha, and pool houses near some schools, as well as the absence of a child-friendly grievance system, as negatively impacting learning.
  • More than seven million children were unable to attend school due to insecurity, economic hardship, and child labor during the 2024/2025 academic year.
  • The Amhara region will start a campaign to enroll 7.4 million students for the 2025/2026 academic year.
  • The Ministry of Education has warned parents and guardians of legal repercussions for failing to send children to school.

Statistics:

  • 31.9 million students are planned to be enrolled in schools for the 2025/2026 academic year.
  • More than nine million children in Ethiopia were out of school as a result of ongoing conflicts, displacement, and natural disasters.
  • The highest numbers of out-of-school children were recorded in the Amhara region with 4.4 million, Oromia with 3.2 million, and Tigray with 1.2 million.
  • Over 6,000 schools were closed, and more than 10,000 others damaged or destroyed, disrupting access to education.

Sources:

  • "Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Report"
  • UNICEF Report: "Out-of-School Children in Ethiopia"
  • Addis Standard: "Ethiopia to Open 2025/2026 Academic Year with 7 Million Children Still Out of School"
  • State Media: "Ministry Warns Parents of Legal Repercussions for Keeping Children Out of School"