Tightening the Noose on Private Schools. At What Cost?

Tightening the Noose on Private Schools. At What Cost?

Jul 19 , 2025. By Antensay Tafesse ( Antensay Tafesse, who has been running a private school in Addis Abeba for over two decades. )

A heated debate is unfolding about the role and impact of private schools, especially in Addis Abeba, ignited by recent comments from the Minister of Education, Birhanu Nega (Prof.), during a prime time TV program. The Minister raised concerns that private schools prioritise profit over education, suggesting that countries cannot develop their education systems effectively through fee-charging schools.

However, international evidence from several successful education systems challenges his viewpoint.

Countries such as South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) have private school sectors that contribute substantially to their education systems. According to OECD data from January 2024, approximately 44 million students, representing 18pc of all students in OECD countries, attend private institutions.

At the upper secondary level, private school enrollment exceeds 40pc in Australia, Belgium, Chile, South Korea, and the UK. Notably, in Ireland and New Zealand, nearly all pre-primary education is provided by private institutions.

Despite this, the Minister urged middle- and high-income families to enrol their children in public schools to support systemic change. However, his proposal overlooks key reasons why families opt for private education despite the availability of free public alternatives. He also failed to provide specific statistics on enrollment in private schools, limiting the clarity of his concerns. The national student population exceeds 30 million, yet private school enrollment remains small.

Birhanu cited Finland’s education model as his blueprint for reforms, though critics argue it lacks relevance to Ethiopia’s context. Among the 27 European Union (EU) countries, 16 operate government-funded private schools.

Data from OIDEL, a.k.a the International Organisation for the Right to Education & Freedom of Education, revealed that 81pc of European countries financially support non-governmental schools: 10pc subsidise teacher salaries, 33pc cover operational costs, and 17pc provide almost full educational funding. Countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malta, Denmark, the UK, Slovakia, and Finland notably support private education.

Rather than scapegoating private schools, policymakers should directly confront fundamental issues plaguing public education.

The Minister’s aversion to private schools may stem from his long-held ideological positions, as well as sincere concerns about equity and social justice. Indeed, private schools offer distinct advantages, resulting in superior academic performance and better career opportunities, raising valid equity concerns. However, blaming private institutions ignores the systemic issues within public schools, where most students are educated.

Ethiopia’s public education system faces profound challenges, impacting student achievement. For instance, "learning poverty," defined by the World Bank and UNESCO as the inability of children to read and comprehend age-appropriate texts by age 10, has reached alarming rates of approximately 90pc.

In the two academic years beginning in 2022, over 95pc of grade 12 students who took national exams failed to score the minimum passing grade of 50pc, exposing severe deficiencies that extend to higher education institutions. Colleges and universities are producing graduates who lack essential literacy and numeracy skills, thereby undermining the quality of the workforce.

Private schools have rapidly expanded, particularly in Addis Abeba, in response to the demand for better educational quality. The Addis Abeba Bureau of Education reported that 585,000 students, 46pc of the city’s student population, attend 1,640 private schools, which constitute 74pc of all schools in the city.

Kindergartens alone number 935, accounting for 57pc of private schools in compact urban properties. Compared to public primary schools, 235 private primary schools educate around 384,000 students, while 554 private primary schools teach approximately 312,000 students. At the secondary level, 85 public schools cater to approximately 145,000 students, while 151 private secondary schools enrol around 79,000 students.

Although numerous in Addis Abeba, private schools represent only about five percent of the 40,000 educational institutions across the country, serving a relatively small fraction of the total student population.

Given this context, focusing blame on private schools distracts from addressing fundamental issues within the broader public education system. Policymakers are urged to confront structural problems directly, rather than targeting private institutions that serve only a minor portion of the population. There appears to be a potential conflict of interest, as many public officials, including those who regulate private schools, enrol their own children in these institutions.

Private schools in Addis Abeba consistently outperform public schools academically, as demonstrated in regional and national exams. Driven by competition, these institutions continuously invest in superior facilities, educational resources, and qualified staff. They emphasise rigorous instructional leadership, disciplined environments, and strong parent-school partnerships.

Despite their contributions, private schools often face harsh criticism rather than recognition for their role in educational advancement.

Contrary to perceptions of inadequate regulation, private schools operate under stringent oversight from the Addis Abeba Education & Training Quality Regulatory Authority. This agency meticulously monitors curriculum adherence, staff qualifications, class sizes, campus infrastructure, and even furniture specifications—any deviations risk license revocation.

Notably, supplementary enrichment activities in mathematics, science, and English designed to boost international competitiveness are banned, prompting private school operators to voice frustration over perceived restrictions on their autonomy.

Private schools uniquely face tuition fee caps, regulated under the newly approved Education Law. Tuition adjustments are permitted only once every three years, subject to parental approval, a highly unusual business model giving customers direct price-setting power. Such restrictive pricing policies undermine schools’ financial stability, especially in an economy marked by persistently high inflation.

These regulatory pressures threaten the sustainability of private schools, forcing them to implement cost-cutting measures that compromise educational quality. Underfunding undermines facility upgrades and the procurement of educational materials, while inadequate salaries drive skilled teachers and administrators to better-paying sectors.

The resulting erosion of quality could diminish distinctions between private and public institutions, potentially leaving families with no viable alternatives.

Rather than restricting private schools, policymakers should prioritise enhancing the quality of education provided by the public school system. Improved public schools would offer financially strained families better educational options, thereby alleviating the impact on household budgets caused by rising inflation. Addressing these systemic issues in public education would benefit the majority of students nationally.

Another concern that demands policymakers' attention is the growing scepticism among young people about the value of education. Observing highly educated professionals, such as medical doctors, struggling financially while less skilled individuals prosper discourages students, eroding their motivation and purpose. Such disillusionment creates tension and dysfunction within educational environments, exacerbating existing problems.

Thus, restoring confidence in education as a pathway to success is critical for Ethiopia’s future workforce and social stability.

Ultimately, private schools, despite their contributions, risk declining under restrictive regulations and persistent criticism from public officials and the media. Few new private institutions have emerged recently due to formidable barriers to entry. Analysts predict that major closures among private schools will occur once the current three-year tuition freeze ends, potentially weakening the education sector as a whole.

This scenario would neither improve public schools nor promote genuine equity; instead, it would merely lower educational standards across the board.

Rather than scapegoating private schools, policymakers should address the fundamental issues plaguing public education directly. Only by addressing systemic problems head-on can Ethiopia hope to improve educational equity and quality, benefiting all students and strengthening national social cohesion and economic prospects.

PUBLISHED ON Jul 19,2025 [ VOL 26 , NO 1316]