“building education and technology development army for quality education, peace and development.’’

In his keynote speech at the conference, Minister of Education, His Excellency Dr. Shiferaw TekleMariam stated that the Ethiopian education and training policy verifies attainment of the overall country’s development programs. According to the Minister, expansion of education institutions and implementation of special affirmative actions at all grade levels is creating a more equitable enrollment of both male and female students, urban and rural residents as well as  people with disabilities.

Dr. Shiferaw said that the Ethiopian government has been implementing the education and technology development army package in a coordinated and organized manner, expanding functional adult education and providing special support for emerging regions to improve enrolment, equity, quality and relevance of education at all levels.

Regarding expansion of higher education, Dr Shiferaw noted that currently more than half million students are attending their education in public and private universities in the country. He emphasized that to achieve the objective of developing a problem-solving, research-driven, technology-transfer oriented  as well as a community service providing higher education institutions, all stakeholders should collaborate, create synergy and strategically integrate their efforts.

To transform the country economic focus from agricultural-led economy to manufacturing and export-oriented, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sub-sector is fulfilling its mission of developing knowledgeable, trained and skilled professionals for the labor market.

In his welcoming speech, Ato Awol Arba, Deputy Governor of Afar Regional State, raised the point that to achieve the goal of education for all, all school age children should be able to get access to education by the concerted effort of all stakeholders.

At the conference, an exhibition organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Afar Regional Education Bureau and Samara University displayed cultural heritages, innovations, photos and statistical data to participants.

This annual conference, which involves all stakeholders in the education sector, reviewed the performance of the 2008 E.C. fiscal year and also set priorities for the 2009 fiscal year.