The Refugees Proclamation, under article 24 (1), entitles refugees the same treatemnt as nationals with respect to access to primary education. Hence, the country's educational policy pertaining to primary education is equally applicable to refugees. Though Ethiopia has put a reservation on Article 22(1) of the 1951 Convention on access to public primary education, the reservations has been practically rendered obsolete by the aforementioned provision of the Refugees Proclamation as well as the policy of the Government of Ethiopia to provide universal primary education in line with global commitments such as the SDGs.

According to the Education Sector Development Plan (ESDP) VI (2020-2025), free and compulsory education will be provided to all children from pre-primary to grade 8, including refugees. As part of the effort to ensure access to all refugee children, ESDP VI aims to expand basic education for refugees and displaced populations. As per the revised curriculum, primary education covers grade 1 to 6 for the age group 7 to 12 years old. And primary education completion exam is provided at grade 6. Middle school covers grade 7 and 8 and it is concluded with a regional exam provided at grade 8.

Therefore, domestic laws and policies provide for compulsory access to primary education, including for refugees.