During the regime of Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia (1930-1974), the education policy primarily aimed to serve the urban elite and the educated class, with a focus on producing a cadre of skilled professionals and civil servants to support the modernization efforts of the state. The policy intended to create a small educated elite that could contribute to the administration and development of the country, as part of a broader agenda of state modernization.
While there were some efforts to expand educational opportunities, including the establishment of new schools and higher education institutions, access to education remained largely limited for rural populations and marginalized groups. The emphasis was on cultivating loyalty to the imperial state and integrating the educated class into its governance structures.
Overall, while the education policy had goals of modernization and development, it was often criticized for being elitist and not adequately addressing the needs of the broader population, particularly those in rural areas.