Accessibility in equality to Basic Education O.A. A. & Kerebih A. 11 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Accessibility In equality to Basic Education in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. O.A. AJALA (Ph.D.) * Kerebih Asres** ABSTRACT Accessibility to basic educational attainment has been identified as collateral for economic development in the 21st century. It has a fundamental role in moving Africa countries out of its present tragic state of underdevelopment. This article examines the situation of basic educational services in Amhara region of Ethiopia in terms of availability and accessibility at both primary and secondary levels. It revealed that there is a gross inadequacy in the provision of facilities and personnel to adequately prepare the youth for their future, in Amhara region. It also revealed the inequality of accessibility to basic education services among the eleven administrative zones in the region with antecedent impact on the development levels among the zones and the region at large. It thus called for serious intervention in the education sector of the region, if the goal of education for development is to be realized, not only in the region but in the country at large.. KEYWORDS: Accessibility, Basic Education, Development, Inequality, Amhara, Ethiopia _________________________________________________________________ Dept. of Geography Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar, Ethiopia * [email protected] Ethiop. J. Educ. & Sc. Vol. 3 No. 2 March, 2008 12 INTRODUCTION of assessment of educational services provision at primary and secondary schools Accessibility to basic education has been in Ethiopia, taking Amhara National identified as a major indicator of human Regional State as a case study. capital formation of a country or region, which is an important determinant of its The article is arranged into six sections. long-run rate of growth and as a measure of Following the introduction is the literature development (Hanmer et al, 1998). The review focusing on education and regional importance of investment in education as a development; then the study area, the determinant of economic growth and methodology, result and discussion and education is also found to be associated finally the conclusion. with various non-economic benefits. Investment in education of citizens in all Education and Regional Development countries is associated with significant labour-market gains for the individuals in Development is human-centred; it is taking question, such as higher post-tax earnings, to mean structural transformation of the higher participation in the labour market economy, society and culture of the people, and improved employment probability permitting, self- actualization of human (OECD, 2001) potentials. Development connotes, the enhancement of the quality of life of man In most developing countries of the world and increasing people’s life chances, their education attainment is the shortest way to opportunities to get educated, to have food, escape from poverty trap. However, getting shelter and clothing and also to have access access to a good quality education is far to basic needs which include health, water, more difficult in sub-Sahara Africa where communication etc. to move not just a little there is relatively small number of schools way up the ladder of income distribution and very high students / teacher ratio. but to be able to make some significant Access to education is one of the indexes of jumps and most importantly to give their development and it determines human children greater opportunities (Uphoff, capital formation of a region. It is believed 2001). that a region with high human capital formation would be able to transform the Increased investment in people, through natural resources in their region to goods spending on social services, especially and services that would lead to economic basic education is essential for the growth and social development. realization of the millennium development goal. Basic Education is the foundation for An understanding of the condition of sustainable life-long individual education services in a region in terms of development. It is aimed at equipping availability and accessibility will afford individuals with such knowledge, skills and both education planners and other stake attitudes that will enable them live holders in the society to be able to identify meaningful and fulfilling lives; contribute the existing lapses and to plan for the to the development of the society and future; it will form the basis of providing derive maximum social, economic and solution to the identified problems. This cultural benefits from the society; and article intends to fill the gap of inadequacy discharge their civic obligations Accessibility in equality to Basic Education O.A. A. & Kerebih A. 13 competently. In addition to the benefits for education is that the acquired knowledge gross national product growth, an educated, and skills tend to raise productivity, healthy population strengthens the capacity earnings potential and nation’s economic of society to manage problems and growth rate and overall development. A withstand external shocks. The multiple further important motive behind acquiring challenges of creating or maintaining more education is to lower the risk of economic growth while minimizing unemployment. The reduction in risk is damage to the natural environment are too particularly large for higher education great to be managed by Governments attainment and the gap in unemployment alone. Empowerment of people, through rates between secondary and university- greater political and economic educated workers is comparatively large. independence and access to information, The difference in unemployment risk enables local communities, organizations across educational categories is notably and businesses to contribute to effective large for young persons, but it tends to solutions (Nathan Glazer, 1993) narrow with age. Moreover, educated workers are more likely to participate in the The World Bank (1990a) claims that the labour market, and their active working life human capital formation determines a is generally longer than that for those with household’s standard of living and that lower educational attainment. Thus, poverty reduction is associated with education attainment is an important increased access to health and education determinant of individuals' earning capacity services. Hence, a development goal that and employment prospects, and therefore aims at improving the living standard of the plays an important role in determining the people over a longer term should ensure level and distribution of income in society that households could generally increase and as well nation’s economic growth and investment in human capital. By being able development (Hanmer et al,1998; to continue to educate their children OECD,2001). adequately and provide their health care needs, the value of a household’s human However, there are two sides to human resources increases and earning potentials capital formation for regional development. rises, reducing its susceptibility to poverty On the demand side, is the willingness and in the future and better utilization of natural ability to invest in human capital formation resources within their environment for at individuals or household levels, this development. A well-trained individual depends on their resources. The realization have the potential of contributing positively of this investment demand also depends on to the overall development of a region. the supply side factors; households cannot Such individual can apply the acquired educate their children if no school exist, or knowledge to add values and transform provide for their health care needs in the available natural resources to goods and absence of clinics and other health services. services for regional development. Furthermore, the quality of education services will determine the level of human Education is basic to human capital capital formation that actually occurs in a development of every nation. It provides given region or community. For example, not only an initial earnings advantage but evidence from several sub- Saharan also a wage premium that increases with African countries show that many schools time spent in the labour market. An lack teachers, books and other essential important motivation for investment in facilities to train their children (Hanmer et Ethiop. J. Educ. & Sc. Vol. 3 No. 2 March, 2008 14 al 1998). It is argue that since man is the commitment to its vigorous promotion; initiator and beneficiary of development, provide free, compulsory Universal Basic then human capital formation of region can Education for every child of school age; be used as surrogate of development level reduce drastically, dropout rate from the and its variations among different regions formal school system through improved illustrates level of regional inequalities. relevance and efficiency; cater for dropouts This can be measured in terms of both the and out-of-school children/adolescent distribution and accessibility to basic through various forms of complementary educational services within a region. approaches to the provision and promotion of basic education; ensure the acquisition Ethiopia Education Statistics for 2004 of the appropriate levels of literacy, shows that net enrolment rate at primary numeracy, manipulative and live skills (as level (grade1-8) was 57 percent of children well as the ethical, moral and civic values) of school-going age with variations across needed