Fourth Congress of the Association of African Historians

Basic Findings of the National Conference on Academic Freedom in Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions 

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The Conference participants noted that: 

2.1 Ethiopia is a signatory or party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN 1948), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966), and the African Charter on Human and People's Rights (1986), among others; 

2.2 As a Member State of UNESCO, Ethiopia is expected to accept and apply UNESCO’s standard-making instruments, including the 1997 Recommendation Concerning the Status of Higher Education Teaching Personnel; 

2.3 The constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Education and Training Policy, and the Proclamation on Higher Education have key provisions recognizing basic human rights and attaching great importance to educational rights and educational development. 

2.4 The empirical studies indicate there is a critical need for improving the level of institutional autonomy accorded particularly to public higher education institutions;  

2.5 It is found that most public institutions are not fully autonomous in financial administration, staff employment, promotion, curriculum development and self administration.  External factors interfere in many officers including student admission and staff employment and dismissal.  

2.6 Higher Education Teaching Personnel reported that they are under paid, working conditions are not conducive, the system is not participatory, and there is lack of /shortage in teaching- learning materials and facilities.  

2.7 Higher Education Institutions leadership and most academic staff are not aware of the UNESCO Recommendations (and even the Higher Education Proclamations).