Drought and Economic Crisis Force 60% of Tigray Students Out of School

Severe drought and a challenging post-war economic situation have led to a staggering 60% dropout rate among students in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, Anadolu Agency reported citing Ismail Abdurahman, head of the Regional Education Bureau.

The conflict that erupted in November 2020 has left the region struggling to recover, with peace agreements signed in late 2022 failing to alleviate ongoing hardships.

Abdurahman reported that while they aimed to enroll 2.5 million students, only about one million have registered. Many students are forced to work to support their families amid economic difficulties. Compounding the crisis, 106 schools are currently being used as camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), severely limiting educational access.

High school teacher Moujib expressed concern over the disillusionment among students, some of whom are considering leaving the country for better opportunities. Teachers also face financial strain, with many going months without pay, further impacting the educational environment.