Education in Eritrea

Eritrea has significantly increased the number of schools and teachers over the last decade, but enrollment has fluctuated, and many children are out of school. For those in school, learning is lagging: in 2018, 65% of grade 5 students met the national minimum competency requirements for mother-tongue literacy, 45% for English literacy and 9% for math.

As outlined in Eritrea’s Partnership Compact, the government is working with GPE and other partners to ensure quality foundational teaching and learning for all girls and boys.

Interventions are aligned with Eritrea’s Education Sector Plan 2022-2026 and aim to improve school readiness, improve foundational literacy and numeracy, and enhance sector efficiency and leadership with a focus on equity.

To make sure children are ready to learn when they enter primary school, Eritrea will continue expanding early childhood education, prioritizing inclusive infrastructure, play-based teaching and learning materials, and parent and community awareness programs.

Upskilling teachers will address the high number of untrained teachers and improve instruction and classroom management.

Additional system improvements include professional development for school leadership, better education data collection and use, and strengthened monitoring and assessment of learning.

A focus on girls’ education seeks to tackle barriers with gender-responsive support, especially for the poorest girls living in remote areas.

• Eritrea is part of the KIX Africa 19 regional hub.
• KIX research project:
  • Observatory on COVID-19 Responses in Educational Systems in Africa