Oromia Dispatch 22-A: A Decade of Learning: How Oromia Rebuilt its Schools for the Next Generation

(Published as part of the “Imagining The Independent State of Oromia: Essays on Freedom and the Future” series. Everyone is invited to contribute. Send your contributions to bantii.qixxeessaa@gmail.com.)

By Yaasin Gammachuu, Education Policy Expert

For those who still wonder what freedom looks like… this story is for you.

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Ten years ago, the Oromo people stood at a historic crossroads. We had won our independence after generations of struggle, but the road ahead was uncertain. Could we rebuild our schools from ruins and neglect? Could we create an education system rooted in our own language and values, while preparing students for the wider world? Today, the answer is written in classrooms buzzing with learning, in libraries filled with new books, and in students graduating with skills and confidence: yes. Education has become both the measure and the maker of Oromia’s future.

This is one of four perspectives in our Ten Years of Independence series, alongside small business, security, and healthcare, because an educated generation is the driving force behind economic growth, effective governance, and a healthier society.

Before independence, Oromia’s education system was collapsing. Schools were in ruins, teachers were underpaid, and students did not receive a quality education.

Independence allowed us to design an education system that reflects our culture and aspirations. We made Afaan Oromo the primary language of instruction in high school, raised teacher salaries, expanded training programs, and modernized learning materials.

In regions like Wallaga and Guji, burned-out schools were replaced with safe, well-equipped classrooms, libraries, and science labs. Broadband access — funded partly through small-business loan profits — connects schools to online learning and teacher networks.

This transformation is inseparable from the progress in other sectors. Security has ensured that schools operate without disruption. Healthcare keeps children healthy enough to attend and learn. Economic growth means graduates now have opportunities at home instead of being forced to migrate for work.

The results are clear:

• Youth literacy is nearly universal.
• Graduation rates are at historic highs.
• More students than ever are entering technical training and universities.

Education is no longer a casualty of politics — it is the engine of Oromia’s future, fueling every other achievement we celebrate.