Higher Education in the Last Four Decades: A Review of Paradigm Shifts in Policy Frameworks

1. Introduction

The history of education in Ethiopia can be traced back to the early 1900s, with the establishment of the first modern-styled university in the country - the University College of Addis Ababa. This institution played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of Ethiopia, laying the foundation for the development of other institutions of higher learning in the following decades. Thus, the history of education in Ethiopia is a rich tapestry of academic excellence and institutional growth (Aklilu, et al, 1963).

In the 1970s and 1980s, higher education in Ethiopia underwent significant changes as the government implemented policies aimed at expanding access to higher education across the country. This resulted in the establishment of a number of new institutions including regional universities, technical colleges, and teacher training colleges.

However, both the number of higher education institutions and students were very limited until recently. There were only two universities, Asmara University (before the independence of Eritrea) and Addis Ababa University in the country. Jimma College of agriculture and Alemaya College of agriculture and Hawasa College of agriculture were the only institutions teaching agricultural sciences and skills until the recent expansion of tertiary educational institutions. Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute and Gondar College of health sciences were the few other institutions of higher learning until the 1990s.

During the tenure of EPRDF in Ethiopia, the nation witnessed a remarkable upsurge in its higher education sector. The history of education in Ethiopia has been nothing short of spectacular, with a significant expansion in the number of universities and colleges. The data collected by alluniversity.info between 2010 and 2023 showed that there are now 42 government and 80 private universities and colleges in Ethiopia. Undoubtedly, this period can be considered as the apex of the country's tertiary education as the expansion was seen not only in the quantity of educational institutions but also in terms of student enrolment and graduation (Pandey, D., et al.(2021)). It is evident that the education history of Ethiopia has been revolutionized during the EPRDF's regime.

The Ethiopian government also launched the Higher Education Strategy Centered around Quality (HESCQ) policy in 1997, which aimed to increase access to higher education across the country. As part of this policy, the government established new universities and colleges in various parts of Ethiopia. For example, between 1991 and 2015, the number of public universities in Ethiopia increased from two to 36 (Mullu, 2017). The government also introduced measures to increase the enrollment of female and rural students in higher education (Nishitha, P., & Pandey, D. (2021).

Despite these achievements, the expansion of tertiary education faced several challenges, including low levels of funding, inadequate infrastructure and supplies, and limited access to quality teaching and learning materials. Overall, however, the expansion of tertiary education during the EPRDF regime was a significant accomplishment for Ethiopia and helped to lay the groundwork for continued progress in education and economic development (Overseas Development Institute, 2011).