During the regime of Emperor Haile Selassie in Ethiopia (1930-1974), several challenges and drawbacks were associated with the educational policy:
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Limited Access to Education: Education was not universally accessible, especially in rural areas. Most educational institutions were concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural populations with minimal educational opportunities. This created a significant urban-rural divide in literacy and education levels.
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Quality of Education: The quality of education was often criticized. Many schools were under-resourced, lacking proper facilities, trained teachers, and educational materials. This led to a substandard learning experience for students.
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Language of Instruction: The use of Amharic as the primary language of instruction marginalized non-Amharic speaking ethnic groups, making it difficult for them to access education. This contributed to tensions among different ethnic groups within the country.
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Curriculum Relevance: The curriculum was often centered on traditional subjects and reflected colonial influences rather than the local context. There was a lack of emphasis on practical skills and vocational training that could have benefited the majority of the population engaged in agriculture and manual labor.
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Political Influence: Education during this era was closely tied to political ideology and the regime's goals. This led to a lack of academic freedom and the promotion of a curriculum that reinforced loyalty to the emperor and the state, rather than critical thinking and independent thought.
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Gender Disparities: Educational opportunities for girls were significantly lower than for boys, perpetuating social inequalities and limiting the role of women in the workforce and society.
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Neglect of Technical and Vocational Education: While secondary and higher education received more focus, there was insufficient emphasis on technical and vocational education, which could have addressed the practical needs of the economy and provided more inclusive educational pathways.
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Impact of Wars and Political Instability: The Second Italo-Ethiopian War and subsequent conflicts disrupted educational attainment, with many schools being destroyed or repurposed for military use, further exacerbating the challenges in the education sector.
These challenges contributed to the broader socio-economic issues facing Ethiopia during Haile Selassie's reign and set the stage for subsequent educational reforms following the 1974 revolution.