GPE solving Ethiopia’s learning crisis

Education in Ethiopia has been severely impacted by a combination of drought, conflict, and the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in approximately 3.5 million children dropping out of school with millions more at risk of following suit. In a bid to address this learning crisis, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has rolled out a $190 million grant in Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous country. Laura Frigenti, the CEO of GPE, emphasized the critical need for interventions to rebuild the education system and get children back into classrooms. Laura Frigenti, while speaking on CNBC Africa about the current situation in Ethiopia, highlighted the challenges faced by the country due to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and the conflict-driven influx of displaced individuals. She noted the significant setback caused by the destruction of schools in war-affected regions, which had previously shown positive trends in education enrollment. Despite Ethiopia's prior achievements in primary school enrollment and gender parity in education, the recent crises have disrupted this progress. Since 2004, Ethiopia has been the largest recipient of GPE funding, amounting to $558 million. Frigenti acknowledged the impact of these grants in supporting over 18 million students through various educational initiatives, including infrastructure development, teacher training, and curriculum enhancement. However, she stressed that beyond financial aid, GPE's partnership model played a crucial role in uniting stakeholders and fostering a cohesive approach to education reform, steering clear of the fragmentation seen in other countries. With the latest $190 million grant aimed at reinstating Ethiopia's education sector on a positive trajectory, Frigenti outlined the focus on rebuilding schools, training teachers, and ensuring inclusive education for all children. Emphasizing the need to align resources with the country's long-term goals, she highlighted the importance of transforming the education system to provide quality learning opportunities to Ethiopia's youth. Reintegrating the millions of children currently out of school poses a significant challenge, particularly in war-affected areas where school infrastructure has been decimated. Frigenti emphasized the urgent need to reconstruct classrooms and stabilize populations to facilitate children's return to education. Additionally, she underscored the pivotal role of teachers in retaining students, calling for the recruitment and training of educators in remote regions to ensure every child has access to quality instruction. In conclusion, the collaboration between GPE and Ethiopia signifies a concerted effort to address the educational repercussions of ongoing crises and pave the way for sustainable development through quality education.