Education and Educational Institutions in the Town of Halaba Qulito: An Historical Survey

Abstract The beginning of modern education in Halaba, more specifically in Qulito town dates back to the 1940s. In the post liberation of the country in 1941, the regime of Hailesslassie worked devotedly to the expansion of modern education, and then a number of primary and secondary schools, colleges and Universities were opened throughout the country in general. The historical progression of modern education in the town of Qulito and its development was the result of much willpower individuals and governments that ruled Ethiopia in the past seven decades. The religious leaders of the Halaba, individual officials of the Hailessilassie regime, elder individuals of the town dwellers and the wealthy individuals in the society played great roles in the expansion of modern education in Qulito. The first government’s primary school was opened in Qulito in 1949/50 and the following years a number of primary and secondary schools as well as very recently vocational school (Technical and vocational training center )were established and began to give educational services to the students in Qulito town and the surrounding areas. Many measures were also taken by the successive governments as well as all other concerned bodies to make education accessible to different sections of the society like adults and Females. Thus, basic education programs, and literacy campaigns were undertaken to literate adults. A high increase in the number of female students to be enrolled in schools has been observed. But still school for students with disabilities is not opened in the town as well as in the zone in general. However, the fact that modern education in Qulito presented great progress during the past decades of its history, there were unquestionable limitations that challenged its supplementary development. From the beginning, the people’s awareness towards the modern education is a big constraint against the introduction of modern education. In the early time the expansion of modern education in Qulito, the lack of trained teachers was additional challenge on education in the study area. The activities of educational institutions were not enough to expand and develop modern education in Halaba in general and specifically in Qulito.