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The leading news of the week was the new ban on English as medium of instruction in Addis Ababa primary schools. Addis Ababa Education Bureau has a new regulation that bans English as medium of instruction in primary level private schools. According to Education Bureau Head, Ato Gezahegn Abate, the regulation will be applied soon to all private primary schools in Addis Ababa from grades 1 to 6. Ato Gezahegn further added that all private schools are currently focused on English language as a medium of instruction for teaching subjects like mathematics, science, ethics, and others. “Our office learnt that many private schools are teaching their students in English so that they can compete in the job market. However, we believe that these schools can teach English as a supplementary course inside a tutor program. In Addition to English, students may also be taught other languages such as French and Arabic without compromising the capacity of the students,” said Ato Gezahegn Abate.
This new regulation will not affect public primary schools, as they are not using English as a medium of instruction currently. The new regulation will also not include all international community schools. The Education Bureau plans to impose a uniform education curriculum in all private as well public schools all over the city. Public opinion seems to be divided on this issue. Those who support the new regulation say it will save the new generation from losing our language. However, many are afraid that this will compromise the English proficiency of our students, a proficiency that they badly need.
In another lead story, an Ethiopian immigrant with a history of mental health problems is in custody after being accused of mailing a letter with HIV-tainted blood to Barack Obama when he was president-elect, according to court records. Saad Bedrie Hussein told investigators that he is an admirer of Obama and that the letter -- containing his photo, an admission ticket to Obama's election night victory party in Chicago's Grant Park and six index cards containing writing and reddish stains -- was his way of seeking government help and tickets to Obama's inauguration.
Hussein, who has HIV, said he "purposely cut one of his fingers with a razor so he could bleed on the letter," according to an affidavit by Terry L. Cullivan, an investigator with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The letter, postmarked December 27 and written in an Ethiopian language, was addressed to Obama at the Illinois Department on Aging in Springfield, Illinois. When the letter was opened two days later, it was found to contain an orange powder, Cullivan said. A state employee then took the letter to another state office, resulting in a two-hour lockdown of the building, affecting more than 300 people, the affidavit says. During an interview, Hussein was unable to remember what the orange powder was, but tests revealed it to be a drink-mix powder, the affidavit says.
Also in the news, the “Miss Buna 2009” of Ethiopia competition was held on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at the National Theater in Addis Ababa. In this competition, a total of 15 contestants participated for the Miss Buna 2009 title. Out of these, nine contestants were chosen to pass to the second round, and five to the third and final round. All of the contestants wore traditional Ethiopian dresses, with each one exhibiting unique style and presentation linked to coffee. Melat Woldesenbet, a student at the Italian Cultural Institute, won this year’s title and became the new Miss Buna 2009 of Ethiopia.
Ato Yonas Taddese, the program organizer and managing director of Elilta Promotion, told Ezega.com, “this program will help us market our coffee to the world. It also creates an opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies to promote our coffee.” Further, he said, “we have to give a special value to our coffee since we are producing one of the finest quality coffees in the world. It is our wealth; it is our diamond.” During this program which lasted for two days, from February 26-28, a show was also presented by women to demonstrate the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, showing the Ethiopian culture to the audience.
At Ezega Jobs, many new jobs were posted. Vacancy ads that were viewed the most include “Program Assistant” posted Peace Corps; “Senior Administrative Assistant” posted by Embassy of the United States of America in Ethiopia; “ICT Helpdesk Technician” posted by Higher Education Strategy Centre (HESC); “ICT Administrator”
At Ezega Real Estate, many new properties were also posted for sale and rent. The most viewed real estate ads include “3BR, 3Bath House for sale” in Yere Gora, Addis Ababa, for 2,252,046 ETB; “175 m2 land for sale“ in Top View, Addis Ababa for 900,000 ETB; and “2BR, 2.5Bath Brand New House for sale” in Nefas Silk, Addis Ababa, for 800,000 ETB; “3BR, 1Bath House for sale” in Bole Michael, Addis Ababa for 1,400,000 ETB; and “3BR, 3Bath House for sale” in CMC, Addis Ababa for 140,000 USD. For more information on these and other homes and properties for sale in Ethiopia, please visit http://www.Ezega.com/
For more news and information about Ethiopia, please visit Ezega.com at http://www.Ezega.com.
