INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN ETHIOPIA: A CHALLENGE TO A PLURAL SOCIETY

Abstract

Socio-economic and educational disparities exist between various regions and social groups in Ethiopia. The disparities in higher education opportunities between the sexes, regions, and urbani rural locations in Ethiopia were investigated. Also a brief assessment of the disparities in general education was
made. Data for over seven years, show that the most advantaged groups are the males when compared with the females; Addis Ababa, Eritrea, Tigray and Gojjam regions when compared with the rest of the regions; and 10 major cities (Addis Ababa, Asmara, Dire Dawa and Gonder being the top ones) when compared with the rest of the country (rural locations). Their higher education admission ratios were about 87% (males), 55% (4 regions), and 56% (urban)
respectively, while their population ratios in Ethiopia are only about 50%, 23% and 6% respectively. It is argued that though having academic excellence and equity together might seem contradictory, there is a need for the development of some measures which accommodate academic and socio-political standards ijregionally, ethnically and gender balanced socioeconomic development is expected in Ethiopia.