College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) of Haramaya University (HU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) within its Education Sector Development Program graduated a total of 117 primary school female leader candidates after a three-month successful training for the 2nd time on June 12, 2018 at the Main Campus.
On the graduation ceremony, Dr. Dawit Negassa, Dean of the College, said, “We are honored and proud to be part of the grand initiative taken by the Ethiopian Government in collaboration with the World Bank in reversing the under representation of women in educational leadership by taking an initiative to increase female leaders from 9.3% to 12.3 by training 1000 female leaders in 2009 E.C (which already succeeded 100%) and from 12.3 to 21.9 by training 3740 female leaders in 2010 E.C for primary schools with ultimate goal of producing female leaders who will assume 50% of the leadership positions in the Ethiopian schools.”
Furthermore, he added, “As one of the 11 universities selected based on their capacities and track records for providing such trainings, our university has contributed to this grand initiative by providing the training in two rounds for 294 females selected from the East and West Hararghe zones of Oromia, Afar and Harari Regions and Dire Dawa City Administration.
He pointed out that “We are extremely pleased that majority of the first-round trainees are already assigned in leadership positions and are currently working as educational leaders, setting examples for the current and next generations by influencing the patriarchal system of education we have by using the wisdom, knowledge, skills, insights, and confidence as a weapon they have developed during their training here in the University.
In his welcoming speech, Prof. Nigussie Dechassa, Vice-president for Academic Affairs said that “gender mainstreaming is a globally recognized strategy which aims to bring about gender equality and advance women’s rights. Gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favored.”
He added that all the universities emphasize certain measures, for instance, in recruitment, but are weak on support and gender-friendly environment. There is little or no support, either academic or leadership oriented, once they joined universities.
During the graduation program, Mr. Habtamu Menber, Coordinator of the Training Program, said that the trainees had been equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudinal changes in leadership and management. The Coordinator forwarded his message to the graduates to work hard in their future endeavors and be a model for girls in primary schools in the leadership aspect. The training packages included issues in School Leadership and Management, Policy, Cross Cutting Issues, and Basics of ICT and Education Management Information System (EMIS).
Delegates of MoE, Harari, Dire Dawa, East Hararaghe, Regional Education TDP Heads, and the University’s different level management bodies attended the graduation ceremony.
All graduates appreciated and gave many thanks to the university and indicated that they were happy with the training program and the multitude of knowledge obtained from the training. The graduates also said that the training was crucial in bridging the gap they had in relation with leadership.
Finally, the graduation ceremony was closed by presenting certificates for the graduates, and trainers who delivered the training by Prof. Nigussie Dechassa and Dr. Dawit Negassa.
