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Restoring Education in Tigray, Ethiopia


More than a decade ago, as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Saint David’s committed to supporting the building of schools in Ethiopian villages. On two separate occasions, we were invited to the country to open the two schools we are supporting —Al’asa (Muslim) and Kalina (Orthodox Christian), which are located outside of Mekelle in the northern province of Tigray. On both occasions—June of 2014 and February 2020—I was joined by student council presidents (who were then in high school) and their families, along with faculty members, to officiate at the schools' openings.

I am excited to share progress from Save the Children on our work to restore the schools and the health posts damaged by the country's recent civil war. 

Save the Children recently provided an update on all nine schools and activities in their Ethiopia schools program. There’s been good news for our schools, Al’asa and Kalina, in particular. 


Highlights:

  • Rapid progress has been made following the end of the civil war.
  • Work is completed at both health posts – they are now equipped with supplies/furniture/equipment and fully functional.
For all nine schools in this project, including Saint David’s Al’asa and Kalina schools:
  • New furniture and learning supplies have been delivered and are being used by students and teachers. 
  • Educators have undergone comprehensive training in mental health and psychosocial support, child-centered teaching methods, and emergent literacy and math instruction. (Parents have benefited from the trainings too.) 
  • The school nutrition program is in full swing and has been particularly important in motivating the return to learning. 
  • Construction is underway at all nine schools concurrently. 
  • Children started attending classes at the schools in the spring. They are back now for a new academic year. 
  • 3,055 students are enrolled across the nine schools representing 85% of Save the Children's target and, with the exception of one of our schools, Kalina Primary School, 99% of children are attending regularly. 

Kalina has experienced additional challenges, which are outlined in the report. Essentially, the school was unoccupied briefly this summer, but then reoccupied by armed groups in August. However, as of October 1 the school is again unoccupied, and has achieved 58% of the enrollment target (considered in the 85% above). Save the Children is working diligently with stakeholders to increase security for students and faculty. 

  • 112 educators have returned across all nine schools, representing 75% of Save the Children's 150 target. 
  • Save the Children launched a comprehensive Back to School campaign beginning in the spring, in collaboration with the communities and local government. An additional campaign is underway for the new academic year. 

The breadth of the work and the progress made has been impressive and very successful. Despite not being able to begin construction earlier, all other efforts combined have brought children back to school at extraordinary rates.

In their report, Save the Children notes that the communities served are delighted and grateful, and they credit our boys' leadership as being instrumental to their success: "Together, we are making a tremendous impact where it is greatly needed, advancing education and restoring hope for children and their families in Tigray. Thank you for your partnership."

We look forward to continuing our commitment to advancing education in Ethiopian communities in need.

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