Ethiopia has a diverse system of education, with roots in Christianity and Islam.

Primary education in
Christian traditions is often taught by clergy in places of worship, and higher education with a focus on
traditional Christian dogma is typically run by major centers of worship, such as monasteries in the
northern and northwestern regions of the country. Graduating from these centers leads to a role in the
priesthood and church hierarchy.

Emperors Menilek II and Haile Selassie I introduced modern education in Ethiopia by establishing a
limited system of primary and secondary education. In the 1950s and 1960s, schools of liberal arts,
science, public health, engineering, law, social work, business, agriculture, and theology were also
opened.

Public education in Ethiopia is free at all levels, including primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
Primary education lasts for 8 years and is compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 12.
Secondary education is 4 years and comprises 3 cycles of 365 days of study. While primary schools are
widely available, secondary schools are less common and enrollment drops at that level. The public
school system in Ethiopia has been affected by lack of adequate funding, qualified teachers, facilities,
and infrastructure. Overcrowding is also a common issue.