During the tenure of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, particularly from 1995 to 2012, Ethiopia saw significant changes in its education policy. The main objectives of the education policy during this period included:
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Access and Enrollment: One of the primary goals was to increase enrollments at all levels of education, particularly to make primary education accessible to all children. The government aimed for universal primary education and expanded access to secondary and higher education.
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Quality of Education: Improving the quality of education was a critical objective. This involved curriculum reforms, teacher training programs, and improving educational infrastructure to enhance learning outcomes.
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Equity in Education: The policy aimed to reduce disparities in educational access based on gender, ethnicity, and geography. This included initiatives to encourage the enrollment of girls and marginalized communities.
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Relevance to Development Needs: The education system was reoriented to be more responsive to the socio-economic needs of the country, promoting vocational training and skills development to support economic growth.
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Decentralization: The education policy included a strategy for decentralization, giving local authorities more control over education delivery and management to better address local needs.
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Higher Education Expansion: There was a significant focus on expanding higher education, leading to the establishment of new universities and increasing the number of students pursuing tertiary education.
As for the current number of universities in Ethiopia, by 2023, Ethiopia had over 50 public universities, along with numerous private institutions. This expansion was part of the broader strategy to increase access to higher education and improve the country's educational landscape. However, the exact number can vary as new institutions are established or existing ones undergo changes.