General Education Quality Improvement Program for Equity

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Finland has supported General Education Quality Improvement Programme (GEQIP) in Ethiopia since 2009. GEQIP-E is the third phase of the Programme. GEQIP is based on Ethiopia's sector programme ESDP. GEQIP-E continues the support to the improved quality of education, but emphasizes more the reduction of inequalities compared to the previous phases. Equity is promoted particularly supporting the education of girls and people with disabilities. GEQIP-E also pays attention to the differences of development in different regions. GEQIP-E is extremely important programme in Ethiopia, for it supports the basic education of approximately 28 million children. The World Bank administers funds with Multi Donor Trust Fund. Ministry of Education is in charge of the implementation. The overall budget is 652 million dollars and the prgramme implementation will continue until 2025. In addition to Finland, the programme is supported by the World Bank, UNICEF, FCDO, GPE, Norway and Denmark. Finland has supported GEQIP-E with 16,9 million euros 2018-2021. Finland earmarks now the additional 4 million euros support to the schools in remote areas such as Afar, Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz (3,5 million) and in addition, to support the identification of assistance devices for the people with disabilities. Owing to COVID and the Tigray conflict, the need for additional support to grass root level has become even greater than before.