The Role of Education in Livelihoods in the Somali Region of Ethiopia
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J U N E 2 0 1 1 Strengthening the humanity and dignity of people in crisis through knowledge and practice A report for the BRIDGES Project The Role of Education in Livelihoods in the Somali Region of Ethiopia Elanor Jackson ©2011 Feinstein International Center. All Rights Reserved. Fair use of this copyrighted material includes its use for non-commercial educational purposes, such as teaching, scholarship, research, criticism, commentary, and news reporting. Unless otherwise noted, those who wish to reproduce text and image files from this publication for such uses may do so without the Feinstein International Center’s express permission. However, all commercial use of this material and/or reproduction that alters its meaning or intent, without the express permission of the Feinstein International Center, is prohibited. Feinstein International Center Tufts University 200 Boston Ave., Suite 4800 Medford, MA 02155 USA tel: +1 617.627.3423 fax: +1 617.627.3428 fic.tufts.edu 2 Feinstein International Center Acknowledgements This study was funded by the Department for International Development as part of the BRIDGES pilot project, implemented by Save the Children UK, Mercy Corps, and Islamic Relief in the Somali Region. The author especially appreciates the support and ideas of Alison Napier of Tufts University in Addis Ababa. Thanks also to Mercy Corps BRIDGES project staff in Jijiga and Gode, Islamic Relief staff and driver in Hargelle, Save the Children UK staff in Dire Dawa, and the Tufts driver. In particular, thanks to Hussein from Mercy Corps in Jijiga for organizing so many of the interviews. Thanks also to Andy Catley from Tufts University and to Save the Children UK, Islamic Relief, Mercy Corps, and Tufts University staff in Addis Ababa for their ideas and logistical assistance. Thanks also to Tina Wallace. Above all, thank you to all those informants in the Somali Region who contributed their time and personal stories and to Asmaa Jama Mahamud for her expert translation skills and invaluable insights. Disclaimer The views expressed in the report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect DFID policies or the views of Save the Children UK, Islamic Relief, Mercy Corps, and Tufts University. The names of many of the informants have been changed. Children and adults gave their informed consent for the use of their photographs in this report. The Role of Education in Livelihoods in the Somali Region of Ethiopia 3 Contents Acronyms 6 1. Executive Summary 7 2. Introduction 10 2.1 Overview of the project 10 2.2 Background to the study 11 2.2.1 Objective and methodology 11 2.2.2 Ethical issues 11 2.2.3 Limitations of the approach 12 3. Background/context 13 3.1 Livelihoods in the study areas 13 3.1.1 Rural areas 13 3.1.2 Urban areas 15 3.2 Education in the study areas 16 4. Findings 18 4.1 The Evolution of secular education in the SRS 18 4.1.1 Haile Selassi’s Regime (1930–1974) 20 4.1.2 Mengistu Regime (1974–1991) 22 4.1.3 EPRDF (1991–2011) 24 4.2 Quranic education 28 4.3 Development trends in the Somali Region 29 4.3.1 Urbanization 30 4.3.2 Role of remittances in support of education development 31 4.3.3 Khat 32 4.4 Perceptions of the role of education in supporting pastoral livelihoods and alternative livelihoods 33 4.4.1 Somali professionals 33 4.4.2 Community members, including community elders 35 4.4.3 Government staff in the Bureau of Education and Bureau of Youth and Sport, Somali Region 38 4.4.4 Youth, both in and out of education 39 4.4.5 Employers 41 4 Feinstein International Center 4.5 Barriers to improving education 43 4.5.1 Demand for education 44 4.5.2 Shortage of teachers 45 4.5.3 Teacher quality 45 4.5.4 Lack of teaching equipment 46 4.5.5 No options for continuing in education 46 4.5.6 Bricks versus books 49 4.5.7 ABE challenges 49 4.6 Barriers to girls’ education and livelihood opportunities 51 4.7 Youth aspirations and experiences 55 4.7.1 Youth aspirations 55 4.7.2 Young people’s experiences 56 4.8 Employment opportunities arising from the current education approach 58 4.8.1 Working for government 58 4.8.2 The impact of regional development 60 4.8.3 Working in the private sector 61 4.8.4 Livelihood options for pastoralist drop-outs 65 5. Conclusions 68 6. Endnotes 71 7. Annexes 7.1 Annex I–Informant Case Studies 74 7.1.1 Somali professionals educated from primary to tertiary levels 75 7.1.2 Community leaders such as elders and religious leaders and community members 94 7.1.3 Government staff in the Bureau of Education, Somali Region 111 7.1.4 Youth, both in and out of education 113 7.1.5 Employers 125 7.2 Annex II–Terms of Reference for Study 128 The Role of Education in Livelihoods in the Somali Region of Ethiopia 5 ACRONYMS ABE Alternative Basic Education ATVET Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training BoE Bureau of Education BoYS Bureau of Youth and Sport CEO Chief Executive Officer CMC/PTA Centre Management Committee/Parent Teacher Association CSO Civil Society Organization DFID Department for International Development EB Ethiopian Birr EDC Education Development Center EPRDF Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front ESDP Education Sector Development Program FGM Female Genital Mutilation GER Gross Enrolment Rate GPA Grade Point Average GRTPC Gode Rural Technology Promotion Centre HTP Harmful Traditional Practice HR Human Resources IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development IGA Income Generating Activity IOM International Organization for Migration IR Islamic Relief MC Mercy Corps MDG Millennium Development Goal MFI Microfinance Institution MoE Ministry of Education MTR Mid-Term Review NGO Non-Governmental Organization ONLF Ogaden National Liberation Front PCAE Pastoralism Concern Association Ethiopia PSNP Productive Safety Net Programme PTR Pupil-Teacher Ratio REB Regional Education Bureau SCUK Save the Children UK SRS Somali Regional State SNNPR Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region TTC Teacher Training College TTI Teacher Training Institute TVET Technical and Vocational Education and Training UAE United Arab Emirates UNECA United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs USD United States Dollars WA Women’s Affairs WEO Woreda Education Office WFP World Food Programme (UN) 6 Feinstein International Center I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes a qualitative study on the and increasing educational opportunities for role of education in livelihoods in the Somali many urban Somalis and more limited Region of Ethiopia, conducted over 18 days in opportunities in rural areas. The demand for April 2011. The study was conducted for the education is increasing. BRIDGES project (piloting the delivery of quality education services in the • Many respondents in the study had moved developing regional states of Ethiopia) out of pastoralism (a few had diversified into funded by DFID and led by Save the other livelihoods as well as continuing, or Children UK. The study focus was to supporting family members to continue, understand people’s perceptions as to how some pastoralist/agro-pastoralist activities), education has contributed to livelihoods— or were the children of former pastoralists. of pastoralists, of those exiting pastoralism, The few pastoralists consulted from two and of those seeking to diversify their different communities felt that the poor livelihoods—in the region. The main amongst their communities were becoming a findings of the study are contained in section 4 larger group. Many respondents felt that of the report and the case studies have been education offers people an alternative collated in Annex I. livelihood to pastoralism. However, most respondents were hopeful that education There was a general perception that education could serve to strengthen pastoral provides a pathway to economic independence livelihoods. and a route out of poverty. Many professionals and students talked about using their education • Many Ethiopian Somalis who fled Ethiopia to contribute to their communities and many during the Ethio-Somali war were educated respondents in areas where their educational and in Somalia. On their return to Ethiopia, they livelihood options were limited were adamant became the first professionals employed by that continuing their education was key to a the regional government and served as role successful future. Many respondents who had models for the new generations of Somalis completed their tertiary education were studying accessing education in the Somali Region. second or Master’s courses, some of them emphasizing the importance of widening their • The support of relatives, either in the form livelihood options through further study. of money or provision of food and lodgings, has been critical in enabling many Somalis The key issues arising from the study include: to continue with their education. This trend is continuing, with many young professionals • In the last twenty years, there has been a in urban areas currently supporting relatives rapid increase in the size and population of to access secondary or tertiary education. In the existing towns and the development of the past 20 years, the influx of remittances new urban centers across the region. The from relatives overseas to family members in impact of the 1977 War between Ethiopia the Somali Region has enabled many and Somalia, and the subsequent return of Somalis to continue in education. Ethiopian Somalis to the region in 1991, has had a significant impact—many people • Students from pastoralist backgrounds became urbanized in Somalia and on their studying agriculture and related courses in return to Ethiopia settled in peri-urban and universities and the agricultural TVET are urban centers.