Addis Ababa, August 24, 2023 (FBC) – The Ministry of Education (MoE) confirmed that universities in the Tigray region have resumed operations with 24,000 students returning since 2021 due to the conflict in the northern part of the country.
Solomon Abraha, Head of Administration and Infrastructure at the Ministry, recalled that since June 28, 2021, higher education has been suspended due to the conflict.
He said that among the 46,000 students who were studying in the universities in the region at the time, 22,000 were transferred to different universities in the country and some of them graduated afterwards.
He also mentioned that some students are studying in their re-assigned universities.
Following the peace agreement signed in Pretoria on November 20, 2022, the war in the north was resolved through AU-led dialogue, he said, indicating that preparations were made to return the universities in the Tigray region into their regular operations.
Solomon stated that 24,000 students have returned to the universities in Tigray region.
He mentioned that some of the universities have welcomed their students. Mekele University has resumed teaching graduating class students, he said.
The official said that a series of activities are being done for teachers and students to receive psychological rehabilitation training.
He said that it will be decided later if the universities are ready to take in new students.