9 Million Children in Ethiopia Out of School; Hijab Ban in Tigray Adds Tension

Over nine million children are currently out of school across Ethiopia due to conflict, violence and natural disasters, with more than 6,000 schools shut down, according to the United Nations…UNICEF said Ethiopia’s education sector has been “devastated” because of conflicts, natural disasters and internal displacement…Conflict has forced the closure of many schools in the Amhara and Oromia regions, where rebel groups are fighting government forces…Meanwhile, some public schools in the ancient Tigray city of Axum have banned Islamic headscarves, forcing 159 female students to miss school, Muslim organizations in Ethiopia said…Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education allows Muslim female students to wear headscarves in schools. The Islamic affairs council said the actions of Axum schools are not acceptable…A source from the Education Bureau in Axum who requested anonymity as he is not allowed to speak with media, told VOA that out of the 15 schools in Axum, four have banned the wearing of the hijab. However, the students said they wore the hijab when attending schools in previous years, including last year.