Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education announced on 14 September 2025 the temporary reassignment of Tigray University students to other public universities amid ongoing security concerns, citing the need to ensure their safety and continued education.
The decision, made by Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega during a meeting with displaced students in Addis Ababa, aims to address the instability in the Tigray region, where schools and educational facilities have faced repeated attacks. Students will be transferred to other public universities where their safety is ensured,
according to the ministry’s statement. An online registration portal for the reassignment was scheduled to launch on the same day, with students instructed to provide details about their previous university, academic year, and field of study.
Ministry’s Announcement and Reassignment Plan
Professor Berhanu Nega emphasized during the meeting that students displaced by conflict have the right to live and learn in peace,
framing the reassignment as a shared responsibility to safeguard their futures. The minister also urged students to remain focused on their education, calling them future citizens who will contribute to the country’s development.
However, the ministry did not specify the number of affected students, the duration of the temporary arrangement, or the universities to which they would be transferred. This lack of detail has left many questions unanswered, particularly for students who had already begun the academic year.
The reassignment process will not require in-person registration, with an online portal set to open on 14 September. Students are expected to complete the transfer form promptly, though the ministry has not outlined how it will handle cases where students lack access to digital tools. This raises concerns about equity, especially for those in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.
Tigray Education Bureau’s Accusations of Attacks
The Tigray regional Education Bureau has accused the Ethiopian government of intensifying attacks on schools and educational infrastructure, a claim the ministry has not addressed directly. In a statement issued in Mekelle on 27 August, the bureau detailed multiple airstrikes and drone strikes targeting schools since 2026. These include an January attack on Zalaqme Primary School in Kola Tembien woreda, which destroyed four classrooms and student drinking-water facilities, affecting 432 students. A 10 August drone strike on Merewa General Secondary School in Raya Alamata woreda damaged four classrooms and educational equipment, potentially impacting over 800 students. A 20 August airstrike on teachers’ housing in Mekelle’s Hawelti sub-city injured more than 14 educators and destroyed homes, while a 26 August drone strike on Gejet General Secondary School in Seharti woreda destroyed classrooms and 35 computers funded by the World Bank’s GEQIP-E program.
The bureau described these attacks as part of a broader pattern of destruction
intended to prevent the resumption of education in Tigray, a claim the regional bureau’s allegations have not been independently verified. The regional authorities allege that the strikes began during the Tigray war in 2020 and have continued despite peace agreements. The ministry’s announcement did not acknowledge these allegations, instead focusing on the need to ensure students can continue their education safely.
Security Concerns and Regional Tensions
The decision comes amid heightened tensions in Tigray, where political and security developments have raised fears of renewed conflict. The federal government has conducted military operations, including drone strikes, amid reports of increased movements by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Human rights organizations and the African Union have called for de-escalation, urging both parties to resolve disputes peacefully. The Tigray Education Bureau’s statement noted that the attacks on schools coincide with these tensions, suggesting a deliberate strategy to undermine educational recovery in the region.
Professor Kindeya Gebrehiwot, a state minister in the Education Ministry, and other senior officials addressed student concerns during the meeting, though their responses did not fully resolve the uncertainty surrounding the reassignment. Students expressed worries about the disruption to their studies and the lack of clarity about the timeline for returning to Tigray. The ministry’s failure to provide concrete details has fueled skepticism about the long-term viability of the temporary measure.
Uncertainties and Next Steps
As of 15 September 2026, the reassignment process remains in its early stages, with no official data on how many students have enrolled in the new universities. The lack of transparency from the ministry has left affected students and families in limbo, unsure whether the move is a short-term solution or a more permanent shift. The Tigray Education Bureau’s allegations of ongoing attacks on schools also remain unverified, creating a divide between the federal government’s narrative and the regional perspective.
The situation underscores the fragility of educational access in Tigray, where decades of conflict have already disrupted learning. The reassignment may provide a temporary reprieve for students, but it does not address the root causes of the instability. As the academic year progresses, the success of this measure will depend on whether security conditions improve and whether the government can restore trust with Tigray’s educational institutions.