Private schools in Ethiopia can no longer pay the salaries of their teachers as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic bites harder.
The Private Schools Association (PSA) in the country says parents have stopped paying school fees due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Ethiopian Private Schools President, Abera Tassew, added that as a result, teachers are suffering and looking for other alternatives to make ends meet.
He said almost all schools will not be able to pay their teachers unless a solution is found for the next school year, adding that some schools have paid half of their salaries since July.
He said parents should compromise to pay school fees to stop the disbandment of teachers for the next generation.
“Every parent or guardian should work together to overcome this problem,” he said.
Abera added that the association is holding talks with the Ministry of Education and the National Bank to provide loan and to ensure that the problem does not worsen and that the fate of teachers and schools is not in jeopardy.
He further noted that the problem is time-consuming and teachers are in serious danger. Calling on all stakeholders to work together for a solution, he reminded the schools to at least pay the teachers’ salaries without interruption.
