Challenges for higher education in eritrea in the post-independent period to the present – a case of asmara university

Rena, Ravinder (2007): Challenges for higher education in eritrea in the post-independent period to the present – a case of asmara university. Published in: Argentine Center of International Studies No. 14 (02. August 2007): pp. 1-13.

Abstract

Eritrean higher education faced numerous challenges over many years. It was particularly suffered during the colonial periods. Eritrea exerted its efforts to develop its dilapidated educational system with the advent of its independence. Eritrea celebrated its sixteenth birthday recently. However, the educational challenges in higher education still remain high. The government of Eritrea established different colleges in different administrative regions. The University of Asmara is the only university in the country that had to be revitalized after its devastation by the 30-year war of independence. Since independence, the University has been able to contribute to the nation’s skill manpower considerably. This paper examines higher education of Eritrea for about 60 years period. It delves the University of Asmara and its birth, development and apogee. The paper also gives some insights on recent educational development in Eritrea.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Higher education, Eritrea, Asmara University, Colonial period, Educational development
• Subjects: A - General Economics and Teaching > A2 - Economics Education and Teaching of Economics > A22 - Undergraduate; A - General Economics and Teaching > A2 - Economics Education and Teaching of Economics > A23 - Graduate; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Insititutions > I21 - Analysis of Education; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Insititutions > I23 - Higher Education Research Institutions; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Insititutions > I28 - Government Policy; I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I2 - Education and Research Insititutions > I22 - Educational Finance

References

Adane Taye (1992) A Historical Survey of State Education in Eritrea, Asmara: Educational Materials Production and Distribution Agency (EMPDA)

Africa Watch (1993) Vol. V, No.1. (12 January)

Bacchus, M.K. (1992). “Meeting the Higher Educational Needs of small States: Financial and Management Implications,” Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, Vol. 6,No. 4, pp. 373-400

David, R.G.(2004) “Eritrean voices: Indigenous Views on the Development of the Curriculum Ten Years after Independence”, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 24, pp. 437-450.

Government of Eritrea (2003) Education Sector Improvement Project (ESIP) Environmental And Social Management Framework (ESMF), Document No. E737, Asmara: The Government of Eritrea.

Michela Wrong (2005) I did not Do it for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation, London: Fourth Estate Publishers.

Ministry of Education (2004) Eritrea: Basic Education Statistics and Essential Indicators, Ministry of Education Asmara, Eritrea.

Pankhurst, Richard (1972) “Education Language and History: A Historical Background to Post –war Ethiopia”, Ethiopian Journal of Education, Vol.7, No,1.(June) p.94.

Pool, David (1997) Eritrea: Towards Unity in Diversity, London, Minority Rights Group International.

Pool, David (2000) From Guerrillas to Government: Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front, London: Ohio University Press.

Rena, Ravinder (2002) “Financing and Cost Recovery in Higher Education: A Study with Special Reference to Private Colleges in Andhra Pradesh”, New Delhi: Finance India Journal, Vol. XVI, No. 2 (June), pp. 662-666.

Rena, Ravinder (2005a) “Gender Disparity in Education – An Eritrean Perspective”, USA: The Global Child Journal, Vol.2. No.1, pp. 43-49. http://www.tolovechildren.org/2004/Final%20for%20Web.pdf

Rena, Ravinder (2005b)“Eritrean Education – Retrospect and Prospect,” Nairobi (Kenya): Eastern Africa Journal of Humanities and Sciences, Vol.5, No.2., pp.1-12. www.cuea.edu/facilities/resjor/vol5- No2.pdf

Rena, Ravinder (2005c) “Financing of Education in Eritrea – A Case Study on Zoba Maakel”, Albany (USA): T he African Symposium, Volume 5 No. 3 September 2005 , pp.113-128 . www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/aern/TAS5.3Rena.pdf

Rena, Ravinder (2006a) “Education and Human Resource Development in Post-independent Eritrea- An Explanatory Note”, Barbados (West Indies ) International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, Vol. 2, Issue 4. pp. 67-81. http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/viewarticle.php?id=159

Rena, Ravinder (2006b) “Education and Youth in Post-independent Eritrea – An Analytical Study”,U SA: T he A frican Symposium, Volume 6., No. 3 and 4 (September and December), p p.85-94. http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/aern/TAS6.3.4.pdf

Rena, Ravinder (2006c) “Education in Post-independent Eritrea: A Brief Description”, Chennai (India): Experiments in Education, Vol. XXXIV, No.2.(February), pp.3-5. www.ww.experimentsineducation.150m.com

Rena, Ravinder (2006d) “Value-based Education for Human Development –Eritrean Perspective” South Carolina, USA: Essays in Education, Vol. 18, Fall, pp. 1-7. www.usca.edu/essays/vol182006/rena.pdf

Rena, Ravinder (2006e) A Handbook on the Eritrean Economy: Problems and Prospects for Development, Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania): New Africa Press.

Rena, Ravinder (2007) “Higher Education In Africa – A Case of Eritrea", New Delhi(India): Journal of Educational Planning and Administration, Vol. 21, No.2. pp.125-140.

Tekie Asehun (2004) Student Selection and Retention at the University of Asmara, Eritrea, The Netherlands: Centre for Development Studies.

Teshome G. Wagaw (1974) “Education in Eritrea: 1941-1962” Ethiopian Journal of Education, Vol.6, No,2.

Thompson, K. & Fogel, B. (1976) Higher education and Social change. Promising experiences in developing countries. New York: Praeger Publishers.

World Bank (2002) Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Challenges for Tertiary Education,Washington DC, World Bank.

World Bank (2003). Eritrea: Education Sector Report, Washington, DC.: World Bank.