Education

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia's Constitution mandates the state to allocate resources to public services, including education. In line with this, Ethiopia pledged during the 2016 Leaders' Summit to enhance educational access for refugee children across various educational levels. 

Regionally, Ethiopia's commitment extends to the Djibouti Declaration on Refugee Education, ensuring refugees, returnees, and host communities access to quality education without discrimination. This aligns with global commitments like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 4, which aims for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Despite a reservation to the 1951 Refugee Convention regarding public primary education, Ethiopia's Refugees Proclamation grants refugees access to primary and pre-primary education similar to nationals. This provision has enabled the inclusion of refugee education in national plans like the Education Sector Development Plan (ESDP VI) and the Education Management Information System, ensuring refugees' integration into the national education system.

Ethiopia’s domestic laws ensure compulsory and free primary education for all children, including refugees, from pre-primary to grade 8. Secondary education access for refugees is similarly guaranteed, subject to resource availability, and the ESDP VI includes strategies for expanding secondary education for refugees, such as in-service teacher training and infrastructure investments in refugee camps.

Tertiary and post-secondary education access for refugees is provided under the same conditions as nationals, with additional favorable treatment similar to that accorded to foreign nationals regarding fees, certificates, and scholarships. Practical support includes pathways for refugees to join higher education institutions and scholarships like the DAFI program.