Churches in Ethiopia have had their fair share of contributions in expanding modern education in the country. Among is the evangelical church which is not only promoting evangelical works but also doing its part in modernizing education system.
Besides providing scripture in local language, the church has also opened boarding and technical and training institutions.
Bethel Evangelical Secondary School (BESS), which is located in Dembi Dolo Kelem Wollega, is among the schools that are opened and supported by American Evangelical missionaries. This school has been shaping the country’s famous politicians for years. On the top of the long list are former Ethiopian President Negasso Gidada (PhD), Negeri Lencho (PhD), Professor German Disasa, Lencho Leta (founder of Oromo Liberation Front) and Gemechis Desta (PhD).
Still striving to provide quality education, the school had been providing education from grade seven to 12 starting from 1980 to 2000.
Amanuel Tesfaye, principal of the school said that this school is prominent in yielding educated men mentioning that it has produced great personalities in the country.
He noted that before the establishment of this school, the community around Dembi Dolo used to pay less attention to formal education. Apart of teaching education in the country, the school has also been facilitating scholarship opportunities for ample students by strengthening its relation with different foreigners.
He underscored that to provide quality education; the school has been hiring highly qualified teachers indicating that most of the teachers who have been serving in the school are holder of master’s degree.
As student class ratio influences the quality of education, he indicated that the school has been teaching 40 students per class.
He indicated that American missionaries played a great role in the development of the school.
Beyond providing a financial support, they had been sending teachers to the school.
As donor’s fund declines, the school launched an internal revenue generating activities from rearing cattle, coffee and tree planting.
The school has been operating with the motto of “Serving the whole person”. Accordingly, protestant and non-protestant religion followers have been getting equal chance to join the school.
Apart from providing education, the school is very unique in offering community services like distributing seedling from its nursery station every year.
Also, the school has been supporting the community in hybridizing the cattle to enhance the productivity of farmers from animal husbandry.
To address the social, economic and health problems of the society, the school has been providing social services for disadvantaged and lactating mothers in supplying food, giving different care and supporting people in need.
He stressed that as the school is a non-profit schools meant to serve community; hence, the government needs to stand with the school in supplying education materials to overcome shortage of text books.
The Ethiopian Herald January1, 2019
BY TAMERU REGASA
