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Children living in the larger towns in Ethiopia sometimes have the chance to start school at a very early age, attending the

mostly private Kindergartens which are now springing up in these places.

Elementary schools teach from grades 1 to 8. The Government funds teacher salaries and just occasional grants for building projects. There are on average 65 / 70 students per class, and attendance rates are officially 33% for males and 28% for females.

Secondary schools teach only grades 9 and 10, which equate to the British GCSE years. Attendance rates are 13% for males and 10% for females.

Preparatory schools were introduced as separate entities just a few years ago and are the equivalent of sixth form colleges in the UK.

Universities have increased in number in the past few years. Students who do well in their Preparatory school exams generally have their pick of the courses at university, but other students have places allocated to them in accordance with the skills needs of the economy.

The teaching profession in Ethiopia is often not highly regarded. Due to salary levels, working conditions, class sizes and availability of resources, motivation levels are often low.

Students do a great deal of learning by rote in Ethiopia and often have little access to interactive teaching resources. The introduction of lessons on plasma screens at secondary level (South African made programmes beamed across the country by satellite) has not been entirely successful.

Students in Ethiopia are keen and ambitious, many wanting to be doctors, teachers and engineers. However, attendance levels are often low, especially for girls.

In general, class sizes are high, and schools aften work on a shift system, with pupils attending for four hours on either the morning or the afternoon shift. Discipline in class is rarely a problem, with children very quiet and attentive during lessons.

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