Drought and post-war crisis lead to 60% school dropouts in Tigray, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia’s Tigray region, 60% of students have been forced to drop out of school due to the post-war economic situation and severe drought, according to Regional Education Bureau head Ismail Abdurahman. The region is still reeling from the aftermath of a conflict that began in November 2020, leading to hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions of displaced individuals.

Despite peace agreements signed in South Africa and Kenya in November 2022, the long-term effects of the war have exacerbated economic and social challenges, making it difficult for students to return to school. Abdurahman noted that economic hardship, coupled with the use of schools as camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), has hindered efforts to enroll the planned 2.5 million students.

High school teacher Moujib highlighted the growing frustration among students who feel disillusioned by an education system ill-equipped to address their economic struggles. The lack of pay for teachers has further worsened the situation, with some students resorting to labor jobs to support their families.