A catalyst for development
Education is universally recognized as a fundamental human right and serves as a cornerstone for the realization of many other rights. Beyond its intrinsic value, education is among the most powerful tools for reducing poverty and inequality. It lays the foundation for inclusive development and sustained socioeconomic growth. As the United Nations aptly states, Education is the key that will allow many other Sustainable Development Goals… to be achieved. When people are able to get quality education they can break from the cycle of poverty. Education therefore helps to reduce inequalities and to reach gender equality.”
Despite its transformative potential, profound inequalities in access to education persist across the globe, both within and between nations. While many countries have made notable progress, hundreds of millions of children remain out of school, and millions of adults continue living without basic literacy.
When individuals and communities are deprived of educational opportunities, it significantly stifles their potential and undermines national capacity and social well-being – particularly harming a country’s most valuable asset: its children and youth. The ripple effects of educational exclusion are felt across society.
This article highlights Eritrea’s sustained efforts and encouraging progress in expanding equitable access to education and ensuring broad participation at all levels.
A commitment to equalizing access and participation
In Eritrea, education is regarded not only as a human right but as a pillar of national development. The National Charter, adopted in Nakfa in 1994, states that, Education is the foundation of development. To provide equal educational opportunity means to provide equal opportunity for development. We must widely expand education so that our people can be free from ignorance, acquire knowledge and skills through various means, and enhance their productive capacity to build their country. Education is a fundamental right to which every Eritrean is entitled. Therefore, we must expand education to the rural areas, of the country where educational opportunity has so far been scant. We must build an advanced educational system which serves national unity and development, and equips people with knowledge and skills.”
Importantly, the country’s education policy guarantees free access to education from primary through tertiary levels, with compulsory basic education (up to grade eight) mandated by law for all children – boys and girls alike.
Since gaining independence over 30 years ago, Eritrea has made significant strides in promoting education, particularly for girls. These efforts include the enactment and enforcement of laws prohibiting child, early, and forced marriage—traditional, harmful practices that have historically hindered girls’ access to education. The government has also introduced community-based awareness programs, and established boarding schools to support girls’ education, especially in rural areas.
Recognizing the unique challenges women and girls face, Eritrea has introduced a range of progressive, gender-responsive, and affirmative action policies. These are designed to boost enrolment, strengthen retention, promote completion, and improve overall academic outcomes. Supporting these initiatives, national organizations, such as the National Union of Eritrean Women and the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, have launched free tutorial and academic support programs to enhance girls’ performance, especially in middle and secondary schools.
As a result of these efforts, female enrolment has been rising steadily. The gender gap in education is narrowing across all levels. Notably, gender parity has been achieved in middle school education and is nearly realized in pre-primary and secondary levels. Although boys continue to outnumber girls at the primary and tertiary levels, the gap is closing at a promising rate.
Inclusion and community engagement
To further promote equity and inclusion, Eritrea has implemented a wide range of supportive policies and programs. These include the distribution of free or highly subsidized textbooks and learning materials, financial assistance to vulnerable families, adult literacy and extension programs, and education initiatives for incarcerated individuals.
A particularly impactful measure has been the Ministry of Education’s mother tongue education policy, which mandates instruction in students’ native languages from pre-primary through elementary levels. This policy has not only helped preserve cultural and linguistic heritage but also improved access and comprehension across ethnolinguistic groups – resulting in higher enrolment, retention, and achievement.
Eritrea has also addressed broader barriers to education. In some regions, schools provide daily meals, which is an essential form of social protection known to enhance both health and academic performance. The continued expansion of the national road network and improved public transportation have made schools more accessible. Additionally, in remote and mountainous areas, the government has even provided donkeys to students with disabilities and bicycles to children who face long commutes to class.
Leaving no one behind
Eritrea’s nomadic and hard-to reach populations, which enrich the nation’s cultural tapestry, have historically been underserved in education. In response, the government has introduced mobile schools and established boarding facilities in remote areas. Nationwide, dozens of schools, including 10 boarding institutions, serve nomadic communities. Through close collaboration with respected elders and community leaders, the Ministry of Education has adapted academic calendars to align with migratory patterns and traditional lifestyles.
Eritrea is also expanding inclusive education for children with disabilities. Dedicated programs support children with visual and hearing impairments, while special classrooms in mainstream schools are being developed to accommodate those with developmental challenges.
Laying the groundwork for a more just, prosperous society
Eritrea’s continued investments in education are bearing fruit. By prioritizing equity, inclusion, and quality, the country is expanding human capital and equipping its people with the knowledge and skills to drive national progress. The commitment to education is not only transforming lives, but also laying the groundwork for a more just and prosperous society.