ESAT News (March 30, 2016)
Hundreds of schools have been closed across Ethiopia due to the looming famine in the country as well as growing security concerns as public uprisings continue, leaving tens of thousands of children out of school.
Students in places severely affected by the drought, such as Somali, Afar, South and Amhara regions do not attend schools as they are either busy helping parents fetch water or have left their villages altogether in search of food.
Thousands of schools were also closed in Oromia region due to security concerns as the protest against the regime continue. Schools were closed because of security concerns in Konso and Hamer, south Ethiopia and Gondar in the north, where there is growing public uprising against the government.
Most schools in Oromia region were closed on orders of the government and will remain closed for the rest of the school year.
The presence of security forces in those schools still open has caused unease on the part of the students, it was learnt.