Equality of Opportunity in Education and Training - The Ethiopia Education Sector Development Program (ESDP II) 2002 - 2005

The Ethiopia Education Sector Development Program (ESDP II) 2002 - 2005

The ESDP II plan is aligned with the Government's Five-Year Education Program 2002/2003 to 2004/2005. Both the Five-Year Education Program and the ESDP II have made Education for All (EFA) one major component and address the EFA goals and strategies set in the Dakar Framework for Action.

4.9. Cross-cutting Issues

4.9.1. Gender Issue

Objectives of the program concerning gender equality are to

1. Increase the admission, completion and transition rates of girls to equal to those of boys, by

• improving access to education facilities and programs for girls
  
• minimizing barriers to the demand for girls’ education
  
• preventing social and cultural barriers to the education of girls
  
• creating awareness on the importance of educating girls by community leaders and members of women's groups, and to bring about changes in attitudes, values and practices at the family and community levels.
  

2. Creating safe, supportive and appropriate learning environments with greater gender sensitive curricula, textbooks and teachers by

• Implementing gender awareness campaigns and training for parents, teachers, education managers and students
  
• Including separate toilets for girls, establishment of girls’ education enhancing committees, etc.
  
• Reviewing curricula, textbooks and instructional processes with a view to removing gender bias, if any, from textbooks and classroom interaction
  
• Increasing the number of female teachers, head teachers and managers in the system
  
• Establishing girls' education committees at the primary level, composed of female teachers, parents and students.
  
• Strengthening guidance and counseling services in the secondary schools
  
• Encouraging girls to join non-traditional vocational-technical fields
  
• The affirmative action for female students to join and complete their studies in higher education institutions
  
• Strenthening support packages such, as tutorial support, assertiveness training, etc.