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Parents at the British International School (BIS) in Addis Ababa have taken the institution to court, challenging tuition fee increases they say were introduced without adequate consultation and have placed an unsustainable burden on families.

The dispute has brought renewed attention to the cost of private and international education in Ethiopia, where inflation, currency depreciation and rising living expenses are putting pressure on household finances.

Parents allege that BIS increased tuition fees by as much as 36 percent for the 2026/27 academic year. They argue that the increases were implemented without sufficient advance notice or meaningful consultation with parent representatives, as required under education regulations and guidelines.

The case is now before the Federal First Instance Court, Bole Bench.

Rising costs

BIS was established in Addis Ababa in 2005 and provides full-time education from kindergarten through Sixth Form. The school initially operated as a study centre offering language and professional development courses before expanding into formal education in response to demand from parents seeking international curricula.

According to the school’s official profile, BIS provides a British-style education and prepares students for International General Certificate of Secondary Education examinations and A-Levels. Its campus, qualified teaching staff and emphasis on academic and personal development have made it a popular choice among expatriate and Ethiopian families.

However, parents say the school’s reputation comes with increasingly unaffordable costs.

One parent told Capital that annual tuition for a child rose from approximately 26,000 birr during the 2025/26 academic year to more than 60,000 birr for 2026/27. The parent described the increase as exceeding 100 percent over two years and said it had disrupted the family’s financial planning.

Another parent with three children at the school said the increases varied according to grade level. The parent cited a 36 percent increase for Early Years through Grade 2, increases ranging from 30 to 34 percent for middle grades, and a 25 percent increase for Grade 9.

According to the parent, the changes resulted in an additional quarterly payment of between 11,000 and 12,000 birr per child.

Parents said many families had made significant financial sacrifices to provide their children with an internationally recognized education. They argue that sudden increases make it difficult for middle- and fixed-income households to plan for tuition, transportation, meals, uniforms and other school-related expenses.

Consultation dispute

Under education regulations and draft guidelines governing private and international schools, institutions are expected to consult parent associations before revising tuition fees. The guidelines also call for schools to provide advance notice, reportedly three months before the end of the academic year, before implementing new charges.

The guidelines further require schools to disclose tuition and registration fees publicly through notice boards and websites.

Schools that fail to display fees clearly may face fines of up to 500,000 birr, while institutions that raise fees without consulting parents may be subject to penalties of up to 200,000 birr, according to the regulations cited by the parents.

Parents at BIS claim that the school did not follow these procedures. They say the administration failed to provide adequate notice before the end of the previous academic year and did not engage in meaningful negotiations before applying the new fees.

After discussions failed to resolve the matter, parents turned to the courts.

Following an order from the Federal First Instance Court, the school administration held negotiations with a 15-member parents’ committee representing families from eight branches.

The talks ended without an agreement. Parents said the school maintained that the revised fees were necessary to cover rising operational costs and preserve educational quality. They also said the administration refused to offer discounts or reconsider the increases.

Parents propose phased increases

One member of the parents’ negotiating team told Capital that parents presented two alternatives.

Under the first proposal, the total increase would be limited to 20 percent and introduced over two academic years—10 percent during the current 2026/27 academic year and another 10 percent in 2027/28.

The second proposal involved a total cash-payment increase of 15 percent, also spread over two years.

Parents said the phased approach would give families time to adjust their finances while still allowing the school to respond to rising costs.

The school administration rejected both proposals, according to the negotiating parent.

“Because the school administration maintained a firm stance in rejecting these two proposed options and completely halted negotiation efforts, we are moving forward with the next legal process,” the parent said.

The court is expected to issue a decision following the conclusion of the proceedings.

Quality versus affordability

The dispute reflects a wider tension affecting private education in Ethiopia. Schools say they face rising expenses related to salaries, imported educational materials, utilities, maintenance, technology and other operating costs.

Parents, however, argue that increased fees should be accompanied by clear evidence of improved services and educational quality.

They say annual price increases should not be treated as automatic adjustments without transparent explanations. For many parents, the central question is whether the money is being used primarily to improve learning or whether tuition increases are driven mainly by institutional profitability.

The dispute also raises broader questions about the regulation of international schools. While parents accept that schools need to remain financially viable, they want greater transparency and predictability in how tuition fees are set.

They also argue that families should have a meaningful role in decisions that directly affect their children’s education and household finances.

Broader sector concerns

Parents involved in the case say the dispute at BIS is part of a wider problem in Ethiopia’s education sector. Private schools across the country are facing increased costs as inflation and currency pressures raise the price of imported materials, equipment and services.

At the same time, many families are experiencing declining purchasing power and rising costs for food, housing, transportation and healthcare.

International schools are particularly affected because they often rely on foreign curricula, imported textbooks, international examinations and highly qualified teachers. These costs can be reflected in tuition fees, but parents say schools should still provide clear documentation and proper consultation before making changes.

The conflict has also exposed a gap between regulation and enforcement. Although guidelines outline consultation and disclosure requirements, parents say they are uncertain about how consistently these rules are implemented and enforced.

Capital made repeated attempts to obtain comment from officials at the Ministry of Education but received no response.

The British International School administration was also contacted for comment, but had not responded by the time of publication.

The Education and Training Authority told Capital that it had responded to the matter in writing and advised that the school and parents should reach a consensus regarding the dispute.

A test for private education

The BIS case is now being closely watched by parents, schools and education-sector observers. Its outcome could influence how private and international schools handle future tuition increases and how parents challenge decisions they believe were made without adequate consultation.

For parents, the issue is not simply the size of the increase. It is also about process, transparency and trust.

They say families should not be presented with major financial changes after decisions have already been made. Schools, they argue, should explain the reasons for increases, disclose relevant fees, consult parents in advance and consider phased options where sudden increases would cause serious hardship.

For schools, the challenge is how to maintain quality in an increasingly expensive operating environment without pricing families out of the education they have chosen.

The court’s decision may therefore have implications beyond BIS. It could help clarify the responsibilities of private schools, the rights of parents and the role of education authorities in regulating fees.

Until then, the dispute remains a visible example of the growing pressure on Ethiopia’s private education sector, where the pursuit of international standards is colliding with the financial realities facing families.

Historical novel exploring Bete Israel heritage launched in Addis Ababa

Arts and Culture

admin

August 8, 2026

Historical novel exploring Bete Israel heritage launched in Addis Ababa

A new historical novel exploring the identity, heritage and social experiences of Ethiopia’s Beta Israel community was launched Tuesday at the Stay Easy Plus Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Titled ‘Behind the Synagogue’ (Kemukrabu Bestjerba), the book was written by Eyosias Esundale and draws on his doctoral research. It combines historical research with narrative fiction to examine the community’s origins, cultural resilience and the social hardships associated with discrimination and exclusion.

The launch also provided a personal occasion for Eyosias, who honored his parents’ 55th wedding anniversary during the event by dressing them in ceremonial robes.

The novel follows Abate, a young scholar pursuing a doctorate in finance who begins a journey of personal and historical discovery. The story moves between the Kechene and Gulele neighborhoods of Addis Ababa and the towns of Merhabete and Debre Berhan.

Through Abate’s experiences, the book explores questions of identity, belonging and the psychological effects of historical discrimination. It also examines the ways in which family, faith and community traditions help people preserve their dignity and cultural identity.

The novel incorporates research into the ancient origin stories of the Beta Israel community, including narratives connected to the destruction of the Second Temple. It also refers to the community’s clandestine migrations during Operation Moses in 1984 and Operation Solomon in 1991.

Zelalem Girma, a language consultant on the project, said the novel captures the atmosphere and linguistic character of historic Addis Ababa. He said the work also helps explain terms such as “Falasha” and “Kayla,” which were historically used as derogatory labels against members of the community.

According to Girma, the novel goes beyond documenting hardship. It also highlights cultural resilience, traditional communal values and the strength of family relationships.

The story features the enduring marriage of Abba Bitew and his wife, whose six-decade relationship serves as a symbol of family commitment and continuity. It also follows the developing romance between Abate and Selam, a clinical nurse.

The launch brought together scholars, faith leaders, authors and community advocates who have worked to document Beta Israel history and support community members in Ethiopia and abroad.

Among those recognized at the event were Dr. Pastor Seleshi Kebede, who has researched anti-stigma efforts in Kechene; Aba Eshetu, an elder who has documented Beta Israel history in Ethiopia and Israel; and W/ro Zenebech, who leads annual medical outreach programs.

Community advocates Solomon Assefa and Pastor Demis Mamo, local author Kebelew Zelelew, and youth leader Mikiyas Legesse, founder of the Selihom relief initiative, were also acknowledged during the gathering.

The novel presents a measured reflection on social exclusion and calls for unity, education and mutual respect. It rejects identity-based division and encourages greater understanding among Ethiopia’s diverse communities.

By translating academic research into an accessible literary form, ‘Behind the Synagogue’ aims to preserve cultural history while encouraging dialogue and social reconciliation.

The author said the book was intended not only to recount the challenges faced by the Beta Israel community, but also to present its resilience, traditions and contributions to Ethiopia’s broader social history.

Beyond the paycheck: Redefining motivation in the Ethiopian workplace

Opinion

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August 8, 2026

Beyond the paycheck: Redefining motivation in the Ethiopian workplace

“People are not coin-operated. Human beings have more sophisticated needs.”—Daniel H. Pink

In an era where the economies are characterized by high competition, the challenge for business leaders is no longer just finding talent—it is keeping that talent inspired, engaged, and anchored to a shared vision of the company.

Walking through the bustling corridors of Addis Ababa’s business districts, one can feel the pulse of a nation in transition. From tech startups in Bole to established manufacturing hubs on the outskirts of the city, there is a common thread that binds these diverse entities: the human element. For a long time, the prevailing wisdom was that a paycheck, delivered on time, was the ultimate lever for employee motivation. While financial stability is undeniably the foundation of any employment relationship, it is increasingly clear that money alone does not fuel innovation, loyalty, or sustained high performance.

The Shift in Dynamics

The contemporary Ethiopian employee is looking for more than just a means of survival. Employees are seeking meaning. They are looking for environments where their contributions are visible, their voices are heard, and their professional growth is actively nurtured. When we ignore these deeper needs, we face the silent crisis of disengagement: employees who are physically present but mentally absent.

Tapping into the Ethiopian Spirit

Ethiopia is a culture deeply rooted in community, collective effort, and deep-seated respect for elders and peers. Our professional environments can leverage this. The concept of ‘Edir’ or ‘Equb’—though traditional—speaks to a fundamental truth about us: we are wired to thrive when we belong to something larger than ourselves. Managers who treat their teams with the same respect and community-orientation found in these traditional structures often see a remarkable shift in morale.

Empowerment over Micromanagement

One of the fastest ways to kill motivation is the shadow of micromanagement. In our hierarchy-heavy work culture, it is easy for leaders to fall into the trap of controlling every detail. But true motivation grows in the soil of trust. When you empower an employee to own a project—to make decisions and even occasionally stumble—you are sending a powerful message: “I trust you.” This trust is perhaps the most potent currency a leader can spend.

The Power of Recognition

We often underestimate the impact of a simple “thank you.” In the rush of daily deadlines, it is easy to overlook the effort behind a task well done. However, public or private recognition for a job well done acts as a force multiplier for morale. It validates the individual’s effort and sets a standard for the rest of the team.

Investing in Growth

Finally, the most motivated employees are those who feel they are growing. Whether it is through mentorship programs, training, or exposure to new challenges, providing a clear path for advancement is essential. When an employee sees a future for themselves within your organization, they don’t just work for you—they invest in the organization’s collective success.

Motivation is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires consistency, empathy, and a genuine interest in the people who power our businesses. The leaders who will truly succeed are those who realize that their most valuable asset isn’t their capital, their machinery, building, infrastructure or their technology—it’s the human spirit behind it all.

Purpose’s search for man: Reclaiming meaning in an age of materialism

Society

admin

August 8, 2026

Purpose’s search for man: Reclaiming meaning in an age of materialism

Martin Luther King Jr. once famously said, “If a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” This powerful quote underscores an important virtue that can guide life. A life devoid of the meaning that drives people to live for a cause is impoverished, even if it is glittering with material success. Purpose drives human beings to live for something greater than life itself. The meaning of life that we attribute to things has a strong influence on how we see life, humanity, our jobs, and the people we relate to.

As Viktor Frankl observed in Man’s Search for Meaning, humanity’s main concern is not merely gaining pleasure or avoiding pain, but finding meaning in life. Frankl argued that a human being is not driven by the satisfaction of basic needs alone, but fundamentally by a “will to meaning” — an innate drive to find purpose even in times of difficulty and suffering. When individuals lack this anchor, no amount of material comfort can fill the void. Indeed, without a clear sense of why we exist, life becomes a series of busy events without a destination, reducing our existence to mere survival rather than intentional living.

We cannot deny the reality that modern life, with all its incessant demands, calls for pragmatism and pushes us toward the allure of a stable life. This stability often seems to come not through pursuing elusive goals or larger-than-life purposes, but from realistically adjusting our expectations and shrewdly dealing with the environment around us, including our jobs, relationships, and money.

Ideally, surrendering our realistic instincts to some form of ideal or utopian expectation — grounded in the fairness of life and the hope of leaving a legacy that transcends time and space — is sometimes seen as mere naïveté and, at best, Quixotism. This view dismisses such thinking as impractical idealism driven by romantic notions, lofty goals, or grand chivalrous actions without regard for practical reality.

But losing purpose in our lives, professions, and relationships comes at a heavy cost. Modern humanity has been driven to accumulate wealth, status, and fame at the expense of so-called “ideal goals” such as purpose and commitment, even when the reward does not come immediately. This creates a generation in which purpose and sacrifice are seen as a lack of understanding of “real life.” Real life, in this view, becomes an existence bound by short-term, myopic, and immediate gratification rather than long-term, generational legacy.

In this context, what holds the community together is not trust, love for one’s profession, or a genuine desire to improve things, but a formal legal statute. The calculating modern mind may view this as a bizarre and unrealistic adulation of old-fashioned tradition — perhaps even a religion-induced false consciousness, as described in the Marxist tradition. Indeed, Marx argued that in a materialist system, where material ownership ultimately defines one’s worth, noble ideas of living for something that transcends materialism might be dismissed as farce.

Furthermore, Maslow, in his famous theory of the hierarchy of needs, originally argued that one cannot satisfy higher-order needs, such as self-actualization or contributing to society without monetary reward, until lower needs are met. However, in his later life, Maslow revised this view, stating that one can — and perhaps even should — not be confined by such strict hierarchies, and that it is possible to achieve self-actualization even when lower-level needs are not fully satisfied.

Despite this, the spirit of the age has vigorously hunted down any remnant of such notions. Everyone seems to be struggling just to get by, viewing others as competitors. This predatory perception is weakening social cohesion, as relationships — even among relatives — are increasingly defined by financial or material success. Marriage risks becoming a careful calculation of a potential partner’s financial and material status rather than a union shaped by love, compatibility, and shared purpose. Are we creating social zombies, where people place less value on spiritual and communal values and elevate material success as the supreme feature of life?

The pressure is real, driven not only by cultural messaging but also by systemic financial demands, skyrocketing costs of living, and the scarcity of stable, high-paying jobs. These harsh economic factors create genuine survival anxiety that deeply strains social bonds, making the scramble for security feel like necessity rather than greed. Yet compounding this pressure is the alluring image of a luxurious lifestyle promoted on social media, which intensifies the competitive spirit by making people feel they are missing out on “the good life.” As a result, people are driven to replicate and experience that good life for themselves, often sacrificing moral convictions and, at times, their decency for immediate financial gain and fame. They fail to critically question whether the enchanted and glamorized life represented on social media actually provides depth or enriches a person holistically.

Yes, travel to exotic destinations may have recreational value and may even deepen our experience by exposing us to a different world and making us more aware of livelihoods beyond our own background. However, does that mean everybody should do it? Is it worth it if it comes at the expense of your savings or your future? Few stop to consider the environmental damage it may cause. Bewitched and enchanted by the allure of social expectations and uncritically absorbed notions of a glamorous life, people continually strive to repeat the experience.

At the core of this cultural disposition is a lack of purpose. Cultivating purpose in an age that discourages it requires intentional inward reflection — a deliberate choice to step off the treadmill of external validation and reconnect with what truly sustains the human spirit. Discovering our purpose requires looking beyond the immediate pressures of the world and aligning our daily actions with enduring values. Without it, culture slowly degrades toward materialism, and losing oneself in the process becomes deeply costly.

A purpose-driven life has a long-term orientation. It sees life as a seed and envisions a life of contributing to and nourishing individuals and organizations. A purpose-driven life can endure pain and inconvenience for the sake of the greater good, seeing each day as an opportunity to build something of greater value for future generations. A generation that forgets or becomes indifferent to future generations is a lost generation; it forgets the price that was paid to bring us here. The purpose-driven individual discerns whether organizations and people place the long-term well-being of society at the center of their drive, aligns with that purpose, and rejects anything that goes against it. For such a person, the monetary value a company offers is not the sole standard.

Companies with cost-oriented marketing may have a short-term advantage over purpose-driven organizations. However, when it comes to earning loyal, long-term customers and sustainable profits, success is tied to having a larger purpose that justifies existence. People buy a company’s story before they buy the commodities it sells. If they connect with that purpose, they know that every penny they spend not only fulfills a physical need but also satisfies higher-order needs, such as contributing to a cause and promoting values they hold dear. This model is now widely considered one of the best marketing strategies for attracting support from diverse stakeholders, including the government, the broader society, and customers invested in the product.

Similarly, companies are looking for recruits who possess not only relevant skills and knowledge but also a bold personal and organizational vision that can harmonize with the company’s mission. The old days when a relevant degree and work experience were enough are fading, as employers now pay close attention to individuals who think differently and have the audacity to shape their industries innovatively.

This mutual, purpose-driven interaction among diverse stakeholders is more human and serene. It aligns with the social, personal, and spiritual dimensions of society by focusing on our true selves and communal instincts. This approach also brings sound economic prosperity, ensuring that individuals never lose themselves in the process of making a living.

Ultimately, reclaiming our destiny requires an awakening of the soul. When we dare to anchor our lives to something enduring, we transform mere existence into a legacy of significance, proving that a life measured by deep conviction will always outlive the transient glitter of the material world. Indeed, purpose is actively searching for man, calling us back from the brink of superficiality and reminding us that a life anchored in profound meaning is the true measure of human achievement.