Special Edition

No. 33 Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Pages 4 President Isaias Afwerki on a working visit in Ethiopia

Minister Abiy Ahmed, Foreign Hachalu Civic Center within the Minister Andargachew Gedu, and compound, coffee plantations and State Minister of the Ministry investments centers in Oromia of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Redwan Region as well as Gibe-III and Hussein, upon arrival at Jimma IV hydropower plants in the Abajifar Airport. Southern Region.

The Presidential delegation The two Heads of State have includes Foreign Minister Osman held extensive consultations on Saleh and Presidential Adviser further enhancement of bilateral Yemane Ghebreab. ties as well as the consolidation of regional cooperation. Accompanied by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, on 12 October, It is to be recalled that PM President Isaias and his delegation Abiy Ahmed had paid a similar visited Jimma University, the working visit to Eritrea last July.

President Isaias Afwerki, Isaias, accompanied by Prime carrying out a three-day working accompanied by Prime Minister Minister Abiy also visited the visit to Ethiopia, on the invitation of the Federal Republic of Koysha hydropower dam under of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed visited construction on Omo River. the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance President Isaias Afwerki and Dam (GERD) in the afternoon President Isaias and Prime his delegation were accorded hours of yesterday, 13 October. Minister Abiy also visited a warm welcome by Prime National Park in Konta zone, President Isaias was given Southern Region on 12 October. briefing by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and professionals on President Isaias was accorded the objectives and construction warm welcome by residents of process of the grand dam. the area, the report added. Art competition by EDF cultural troupes Concluded Earlier yesterday, President President Isaias Afwerki is Music and dancing competition Commissioner of Culture and the objective of the competition that was organized by the Sports attended, coordinators of the was to promote excellence as well Information and Promotion Unit of competition emphasized the role as nurture and inculcate national the Ministry of Defense, which has of the competition in promoting values. been underway from 14 September culture and professional excellence Announcement from the – 8 October, was concluded on 10 and called for its sustainability. At the concluding ceremony October. financial prizes were handed out Ministry of Health Col. Solomon Sium, Head of the to winning individuals and cultural At the conclusion ceremony Information and Promotion Unit troupes in the music and dancing Nine patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID-19 in tests in which General Filipos of the Ministry of Defense, noted as well as stage performances carried out on 10 October at Quarantine Centers in Senafe (5) and Weldeyohannes, Chief of Staff the significant contribution of art and Benifer cultural troupe won Tsorona (4) in the Southern Region. of the Eritrean Defense Forces, in political campaigning and armed ‘Walta’ Award for winning the and Ambassador Zemede Tekle, struggle for liberation and said that overall competition. All the patients are nationals who returned from Ethiopia recently.

On the other hand, eight patients who were receiving medical treatment in hospitals in the Southern Region have recovered fully and have been released from these facilities.

The total number of recovered patients to-date accordingly stands at 372.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has risen to 414.

Ministry of Health Asmara 10 October 2020 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 No. 33 2

Promoting Solar Energy in Eritrea

Ruth Abraham Data from the wind and solar monitoring stations installed in Globally, the use of solar power many parts of Eritrea show that as an alternative source of energy the country has a great potential, is growing. In Africa, Egypt, around 6 kwh/m2 of solar energy. Morocco, Ghana and South Africa Based on studies carried out by are leading in their extensive use the Ministry of Energy and Mines of solar energy. Morocco is home (MEM) meteorological sites for to Africa’s biggest solar plant, the detection of potential solar Noor Solar Complex, and South sites have been set. Africa hosts eight of the ten largest solar plants in Africa. The The MEM has been working to Noor Solar Complex in Morocco provide modern, affordable and is a 500 MW solar park, which sustainable energy to previously is the biggest concentrated solar off-grid villages and rural towns power plant in the world. of Areza and Maidma in Debub region. The project targets over Eritrea’s major source of 40,000 residents in 40 villages, energy is petroleum, which drains over 513 small enterprises, solar systems. pollute the environment and save the national capacity. The plan the foreign currency reserves 15 schools, 2 kindergartens, 2 As part of its efforts to promote money in the long run even if their includes a 20-30 MW wind and of the country and is globally a community hospitals, 5 health the use of alternative sources of installation cost is quite high. solar hybrid power at Dekemhare, major cause of pollution. The stations and 80 organizations. energy, the MEM built in April Although Eritrea may have a a10 MW wind power at Assab, a government of Eritrea has been 2018 a photovoltaic plant east of long way to go in its exploitation 10-20 MW solar power at Asmara, making efforts to promote the use Solar energy plants have Asmara. The plant generates an of environment-friendly Adikeih, Debarwa and Barentu, a of alternative sources of energy, been installed around Logo and average of 11- thousand kilowatt alternative sources of energy, it 5 MW solar power at Gerset, a especially solar energy, to mitigate has demonstrated its commitment 5 MW wind and solar hybrid at the problems associated with the by the projects carried out that Kerkebet and a 2-3 MW solar use of fossil fuel. A major benefit emphasize the use of solar and diesel hybrid at Nakfa, which will of solar energy is that it does not wind energies. The two power be linked to the national grid. pollute the environment and saves plants, one in Areza (1.5 acres) money in the long run even if its and another in Maidma (2.5 The MEM also plans to increase installation cost is quite high. acres), showcase the use of solar energy efficiency in Eritrea hybrid power systems to provide through the expansion of rural Eritrea’s weather, characterized continuous power supply to rural electrification by the extensive by long sunny days throughout communities in those areas. installation of solar systems, the year, makes it suitable the rehabilitation of Asmara’s for harnessing solar power. Going forward the MEM plans power distribution system, the to boost its power generation establishment of an assembling capacity by departing from its plant for batteries and other Misilam dams, and a similar plant hours of electricity per day. dependence on fossil fuels and by appliances as well as facilities for is in the making in Kerkebet. The Moreover, in Asmara, more than intensifying its efforts to look for in-house capacity building. excess energy generated at the 400 solar powered streetlights, alternative sources of energy that plants near Logo and Misilam covering a distance of 13 are renewable. In the long run, the MEM dams is channeled to the national kilometers, have been installed. intends to give universal access grid. The use of solar energy is In its short term plan it intends of modern energy in Eritrea Published Every increasingly becoming common Alternative sources of energy to increase the amount of solar by extending the national grid that many households have home such as solar energy do not and wind energy that will enhance throughout the country. SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every WednesdayPublished & SaturdayEvery Saturday & Wednesday Acting Editor Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfun [email protected] Mesfun [email protected] P.O.Box: 247 P.O.Box: 247 Tel: 11-41-14 Fax: 12-77-49 E-mail: [email protected]@[email protected] zena.gov.er Advertisement: 12-50-13

Layout AAzmerazmera BerhaneBerhane AidaSaraSara JoharAlem Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 No. 33 3

Our Environment is Always Worthy of Attention

By: Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion

hundreds of miles of shoreline, Convention on Persistent Organic devastating local ecosystems, and Pollutants, 2001 (acceded 10 destroying the livelihoods of many March 2005); Cartagena Protocol engaged in the local fishing sector. on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2000 (acceded Thus, within the overall context 10 March 2005); Kyoto Protocol described in the preceding to the United Nations Framework paragraphs, Minister Tesfai’s Convention on Climate Change, comments and appeals seem more 1997 (acceded 28 July 2005); than reasonable and well-placed. Paris Agreement, 2015 (signed 22 April 2016); Doha Amendment to As a final point, it is worth the Kyoto Protocol, 2012 (accepted recalling that concern and regard 3 May 2018); Nagoya Protocol on for the local and surrounding Access to Genetic Resources and natural environment is not a the Fair and Equitable Sharing passing fad or recent trend in of Benefits Arising from their Eritrea. Rather, the environment Utilization to the Convention on has always been a critical topic for Biological Diversity, 2010 (acceded Eritrea. For instance, the National 13 March 2019). About two weeks ago, Tesfai coastal areas are some of Eritrea’s only be regarded as clear, very Charter (1994) states that, “We are In addition to these important Ghebreselassie, Eritrea’s Minister most unique, richly diverse, and serious, and worthy of continued committed to economic growth, but commitments, environmental of Land, Water, and Environment important regions. Although close attention. Built in the 1970s, in conjunction with social justice activities have been a fundamental delivered an address to the United the country is not the largest in the rusting, decaying vessel is and the protection of the natural plank of development programmes Nations Summit on Biodiversity. terms of geographic area, it does loaded with more than a million During his statement, which was contain a wide range of ecosystem barrels of crude oil (approximately delivered through a prerecorded types. One of the most important 1.1 million barrels) and has had video message, Minister Tesfai is the coastal marine and island virtually no maintenance for over touched upon a number of ecosystems of the Red Sea. Eritrea’s five years due to the ongoing important issues, including how northeastern and eastern areas have conflict. Both officials from the the ongoing COVID-19 global an extensive coastline spanning United Nations and a slew of pandemic and the destruction approximately 1,900 km along experts have warned of a potential of biodiversity are intricately the Red Sea directly across from humanitarian, environmental, and related, the growing challenge Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In fact, economic catastrophe in the region of the global climate crisis, and the country’s coastline is one of if the tanker should leak, rupture, the need for closer cooperation the longest in all of Africa, behind or explode. between developed and developing only Madagascar, Somalia, South countries in addressing numerous Africa, Mozambique, and Egypt. Last August, the UN Secretary- environmental challenges. In Moreover, Eritrea has well over General, António Guterres, warned addition, toward the end of his 350 islands of varying sizes, most that the fallout from a tanker spill address, he stated: “In conclusion, of them concentrated in the Dahlak or oil slick could “severely harm I would like to draw the attention archipelago, east of Massawa. (The Red Sea ecosystems relied on of this important gathering to largest of the islands is Dahlak by 30 million people across the environment”. Additionally, Eritrea and national policies in the country. the precarious condition of an Kebir). The waters off Eritrea region,” while the ship, which is is party to numerous environment- For example, tree planting and abandoned oil tanker moored in the contain over 1,100 fish species basically a ticking time bomb in related international agreements, terracing campaigns are regularly Red Sea waters near the Yemeni and 44 genera of hard coral, the middle of a conflict zone, also including, inter alia, the following: conducted across the country port of Al Hudaydha. Eritrea calls resulting in one of the highest threatens one of the world’s busiest Convention on International Trade to address land degradation and for a united stand to urge the recorded levels of endemism and and most strategic international in Endangered Species of Wild deforestation, while during the concerned Yemeni political forces species diversity for a water body. shipping routes. According to Fauna and Flora (acceded 22 early 2000s, Eritrea banned the to cooperate in the safe unloading Remarkably, around 18 percent of some estimates, the Red Sea January 1995); United Nations production, importation, sale, or of the tanker, in order to preclude fish species and 20 percent of coral ecology would need over 30 years Framework Convention on Climate distribution of plastic bags, making marine ecological catastrophe and species are reported to be endemic to recover from the ensuing dire Change, 1992 (acceded 24 April it one of the first countries in all of socioeconomic damage that could to these waters. Of course, the consequences of a massive oil spill. 1995); Convention on Biological Africa, and one of the few in the result by spill dispersion of over coastal region is also home toa For a sobering comparison, fears Diversity (approved 21 March world, to do so. Furthermore, the one million barrels of crude oil large number of Eritreans, a vital have been raised that the tanker 1996); United Nations Convention Eritrean People’s Liberation Front from the tanker into the waters of source of livelihood for many, could lead to an environmental to Combat Desertification in those and then the Eritrean Government southern Red Sea.” This issue is of of considerable and growing disaster in the Red Sea four times Countries Experiencing Serious banned the hunting and trapping of fundamental significance to Eritrea socioeconomic importance, and greater than the Exxon Valdez Drought and/or Desertification, wild animals and the cutting of live for several reasons and should be host to Eritrea’s two main ports, oil spill. The 1989 Exxon Valdez Particularly in Africa, 1994 (signed trees, declared areas of the Red Sea put into proper context. Massawa and Assab. disaster was one of the largest oil 14 October 1994 and ratified 14 coast as protected marine reserves, spills in US history, with the large August 1996); World Heritage and set aside large parts of the To begin, not only is it unfolding Second, the risks and dangers tanker spilling nearly 300,000 Convention, 1972 (accepted country as protected national parks extremely close to home, the posed by the aging oil tanker can barrels of toxic crude oil, polluting 24 October 2001); Stockholm and conservatory areas.

Disclaimer: articles published in this column do not reflect the stance or opinion of Eritrea Profile Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 No. 33 4

Eritrea: Overview of its National Curriculum

Habtom Tesfamichael General Science, Social Studies, national development needs, are Citizenship Education, Life Skills an integral part of the curriculum. The Government of the State Education, Arts and Sports and In Eritrea, secondary education of Eritrea considers education Physical Education. is designed to serve both as the cornerstone of all national preparation for further education development efforts, and has Middle Level Education is the and the world of work. Therefore, adopted a national education policy end of the basic education cycle upon completion of their that advances the knowledge and which goes from grade six to eight. Secondary Education, school skills required for a vibrant and The medium of instruction from leavers have the option of either competitive economy. It has been this level onwards is English. This seeking employment or pursuing making significant investments cycle offers a broad-based general further education and training. in the development of human education with opportunities for resources by providing education learners to begin to identify their Students at grades 9 and 10 of and health services for the entire interests for further education the secondary school education people so that they can fully and flexible skills of learning. take the same subjects as participate in the civic, cultural, Vocational orientation topics are common courses and in grade 11 political, social and economic needs; which encompasses pre-school, integrated in various subjects. A are assigned to either the Natural affairs of their nation. • support the development elementary and middle school national examination is given at Science or Social Science streams of desirable moral and social levels, is free and compulsory for the end of grade 8 and serves as which provide them with in- The national policy of depth learning according to their education of the State of Eritrea interests, aptitude and the national states that the provision of sound development needs. basic education is both a human right and a tool that raises the At the end of this cycle, overall awareness of citizens, learners sit for the Eritrean which enhances productivity. It Secondary Education Certificate also emphasizes that education Examination (ESECE), which at middle and secondary schools enables the authorities to assess should integrate knowledge and the education standards and to skills in order to prepare students channel learners who fulfill the for higher education, on the one admission criteria into institutions hand, and occupation in different of higher education in line with fields of work, on the other. their interests and aptitudes and the development needs and At all the levels efforts have priorities of the country. been made to include innovative ways of integrating theory with Finally, on top of the core practice, focusing on the process learning areas listed in the of inquiry, analysis, interpretation, curriculum, learners are engaged problem solving, communication in co-circular activities by and other essential learning joining Green, Health, Debating, skills. Arts and Sciences, Drama and Sports clubs in their schools. The general aims of the National an entrance exam for secondary Co-circular activities are given Curriculum are to: values; all school-age children. education. strong consideration as they • contribute to the are convenient vehicles for • promote a sense of unity development of democracy Pre-school Education, which Secondary Education is complementing and strengthening in diversity, collective identity and social justice, including runs for two years, is an integral structured as a four-year program learning within the context of the and loyalty to the nation; cooperation, tolerance, mutual part of the education system for of core and enrichment learning formal curriculum and contribute understanding and service to children between ages 4 and 5. areas. Work-related practical towards the physical, social • provide all learners with others; The emphasis at this level is on studies, with relevance to and intellectual and affective an enabling environment for the laying the foundation for language individual learner interests and development of the learners. development of autonomous • contribute to the and concept development, social learning and problem-solving development of democracy and relationships and the holistic skills; social justice; and development of the child in a thematic approach. • develop the necessary • promote the study of knowledge, understanding, skills science and technology along with Elementary Level Education is and attitudes which could serve as the development of an informed a five-year school cycle with the bases for continuing learning and concern for the conservation mother tongue as the medium of productive work in adult life; of the environment, nature and instruction, and it is viewed as natural resources. an important formative period • foster the total in the social, emotional and development (e.g. physical, The structure of the education intellectual development of cultural, aesthetic) of the system in Eritrea has three bands learners. The core learning areas individual learner’s potential, -- basic, secondary and higher provided at this level are Mother including those with special education. Basic education, Tongue, English, Mathematics,