Abay Mado Catholic Academy
Abay Mado Catholic Academy was established in 2012 and is located in Bahir Dar City, Amhara State, Ethiopia. It is in one of the areas where the first Jesuits in Ethiopia worked in the 16th Century. Presently, the school has a student population of 850 pupils (416 girls, 434 boys); 258 pupils are in kindergarten while 592 are in the primary section. 100 students received full scholarships. The school is served by 40 teaching staff (32 female, 21 male) and 13 support staff
Academic Activities
In 2017, 66 children graduated from the kindergarten and were all absorbed in the primary section. In this year, 2010*, the first Grade 8 class which has 58 pupils (35 girls and 23 boys) will graduate and 85 other children will graduate from the kindergarten.
*NB:Â The Ethiopian calendar is different; meaning, the graduating class of 2010 EC sat for their national examinations at the end of June 2018.
Activities/Projects Implemented
- Tree Planting:Â The school embarked on a tree planting project that will enhance and beautify the compound. It will also ensure environmental conservation and allow students to participate in marinating the environment around them. The first phase was completed in November.
- The school assembly ground was leveled to create a conducive and safer environment for children.
- Installation of water tank: this allowed for easy access to safe and clean drinking water for the school population.
- Acquisition of books:Â 1,000 texts books for various subjects were acquired for the school. The library is now well equipped allowing students to benefit from their studies and teachers to have access to reference books.
- Acquisition of furniture and scholastic materials:Â 40 chairs and 40 tables were acquired for use in the kindergarten. This has created a conducive learning environment for the children.
- 10 new computers were purchased for the computer lab. This has increased the number of students acquiring basic computer skills. The project, which allows 3 students to use 1 computer, has improved the computer learning process.
- 14 classroom wooden chalkboards were replaced with concrete chalkboards.
Challenges
- The amount charged for Tuition fees, which is the primary source of income, is quite minimal due to high poverty in the area. It is equally challenging to acquire resource materials from government printers though schools are expected to use the recommended textbooks.
- Transportation is a major challenge because some students come from long distances to attend school as parents are looking for quality education.
- Â Despite the financial challenges, there is a dire need for qualified teachers in order for the school to provide high-quality education.
Education is the most effective weapon in the fight against poverty, ignorance, disease and social vices plaguing the African continent. In East African countries, education in all its forms constitutes a pressing need. For this reason, the Jesuits of Eastern African Province have made a significant commitment to education in South Sudan, Ethiopia Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, albeit still a fraction of what it needs to be. We desire to establish more Jesuit educational institutions in the countries of AOR, while strengthening and expanding what already exists, and developing initiatives that generate transformation from the grassroots.
