The challenges of free primary education in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has a relatively long and smooth experience with the abolition of school fees compared to other developing countries. Fees were previously used for expenses other than salaries, such as school construction, maintenance, infrastructure and utilities. When fees were abolished at the primary level, enrolments increased substantially and extra government funding compensated schools. The abolition of school fees abolition was integrated into the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, and gradually rolled out across the country. The experience shows the importance of sustainability in planning and implementing policies, as well as the importance of involving local communities and co-ordinating with development partners.