The Role of Non·governmental Organizations in Promoting Civic and Ethical Education in Ethiopia
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Date
2007-07
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Addis ababa univeresty
Abstract
Ethiopia has embarked on a democratic social order afier the advent of EPRDF to power in
1991. Our democracy is in itsjledgling stage and needs to be nurtured through civic education
programs in order to grow to its full stature. Cognizant of its relevance, the government has
given high priority to civic and ethical education in its policy. The policy documents issued by
the government have shown the deficiencies in the delivefY of civic education programs and the
roles which could be played by different stakeholders to mitigate them. However, the NGOs are
not considered as stakeholders that can playa vital role with regards to promoting civic
education.
The purpose of this research was to find out the part being played by some selected NGOs in the
promotion of civic and ethical education, identifY the major achievements and shortcomings and
come up with strategies that could alleviate the problems and bullress the accomplishments. To
this end, a thorough review of literature has been made on civic education and the roles that
NGOs play in promoting it. The study employed a case study method of qualitative research. The
methods of investigation applied for data gathering were interview, document revie'w and
observation. The data gathered have been analyzed andfindings and conclusions drawn.Results of the study revealed that the NGOs contribution towards the school-based civic
education program is minimal while their contribution in adult civic education program is
magnificent, There is a reciprocal negligence of one part of civic education fi'om both the
government and NGOs side as a result the two parts could not supplement and reinforce each
other. Several factors impeded the activities of the NGOs among which the most severe one is
financial constraint and its consequence on staff and facility. The financial constraint is
aggravated by the impeding policy environment which inhibited NGOs from engaging in income
generating activities,
Hence, it was suggested that both the government and NGOs should avoid their reciprocal
negligence and lVork in partnership in school-based and adult civic education programs. In
addition, the government of Ethiopia has to create an enabling environment for the NGOs so that
they can design a mechanism to solve the problems that are working against their endeavor to
promote civic education
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Keywords
Education