Special Boarding Schools in Ethiopia Offer Free Education
The Ministry of Education has begun enrolling students in special boarding schools in Ethiopia. Schools are offering free tuition, free boarding, and free meals. This program is aimed at students moving into 9th and 10th grade.
These are federal government schools built for students who show strong academic performance. Instead of paying for high school and living costs, qualifying students get everything covered.
Not every school on this list takes the same grades. Some only accept 9th graders. Others take both 9th- and 10th-graders. Here’s the breakdown.
Special Boarding Schools in Ethiopia Accepting Only 9th Grade Students
- Arba Minch Special Boarding School
- Dire Dawa Special Boarding School
- Assosa Special Boarding School
- Bahir Dar Special Boarding School
Special Boarding Schools in Ethiopia Accepting Both 9th and 10th Grade Students
- Bui Special Boarding School
- Jigjiga Special Boarding School
- Gambella Special Boarding School
- Woliso Special Needs School
- Bonga Special Needs School
Requirements for 9th Grade Applicants
- A minimum average score of 85 or higher on the 8th-grade Ministry exam
- A minimum score of 80 or higher in both math and English
- Good moral character
Requirements for 10th Grade Applicants
- A minimum average score of 70 or higher on the 8th-grade Ministry exam (taken in 2017 E.C.)
- A minimum average score of 85 or higher on the 9th-grade transcript
- A minimum score of 80 or higher in both math and English
- Good moral character
Notice that math and English scores matter a lot here. Even if a student’s overall average is strong, they still need to hit the 80 mark in these two subjects.
How to Register?
Registration happens online, not in person. Students (or their parents) need to fill out the application through the Ministry’s official portal.
Registration link: https://sbs.moe.gov.et/apply
Deadline: August 15, 2018 (Ethiopian Calendar)
Don’t wait until the last few days to apply. The online system may get slowed down or crash when everyone rushes in at once.
Registering isn’t the final step. After applications close, the Ethiopian Ministry will announce:
- The list of students eligible to sit for the entrance exam
- The exam schedule and dates
Students who pass the exam must be ready to attend the boarding school to which they are admitted.
Addis Ababa Vocational Training Program Introduces 11 New Professions
