Exploration of female education in Tigray, Ethiopia

The study intended to explore the socio-cultural, socio-economic, school level, policy and law factors in Tigray, Ethiopia that contribute to the lower enrolment and completion rates for the female students, as well as to recommend future research priorities. A total of 400 fieldwork returns from girls/women and boys/men at secondary and tertiary levels were conducted. The data analysis found that the access to higher institutions and the attainment of female education were lower than that of the male students based on the following reasons; Firstly, cultural and religious traditions. Secondly, the direct costs and opportunity costs of sending girls to school were higher than the comparable costs of educating boys. Thirdly, the school environments were not conducive to learning for the girls and women. It was concluded that although efforts have been made by the Government to implement laws and policies that encourage equity and equality, the central problems of female education are still identified as limited access and attainment in years of schooling and lower academic achievements influenced by in- and out-of-school factors.

Autorentext

Jeanett Wilberg Schibbye, MSc: Master in Development Management at the Agricultural University of Norway. University lecturer and course coordinator for a Development Management master programme, Norway.