BY LEULSEGED WORKU
Libraries are a place of knowledge and books are like selected seeds where readers and researchers enjoy their fruits. Whoever has a desire to reap wisdom and knowledge must spend his/her time in libraries and science centres. Having state of the art library stimulates reading passion, invites readers to conduct research and develops ones research experience.
Needless to say knowledge is a weapon to conquer historic enemy- poverty. Having a skilled and educated citizens is the best and the only way to defeat this enemy. In this globalized world where technology is taking the lead and things are changing so speedily, the youths need to upgrade themselves with all necessary knowledge and skills. In this regard, building modern libraries and science museums is not a luxury or an option. It is something we do not compromise on it.
Seeing the role of libraries and research centres, the government has given special attention. As part of this effort, the Grand Abrhot Library was inaugurated six months ago. The library, which is built at 19,000 Square meters, is the first of its kind.
On its 13th regular session of HPR last Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed indicated that following the political reform in the country several measures are taken in all sectors and positive results are witnessed. The education sector and expansion of science museums and libraries are good indications to this.
According to him, the role of science museums, libraries and education centres are one of the central focuses of the government. So far, four libraries are being constructed. These libraries are of international standard; and Abrehot (Enlightenment Library) is one of the mega libraries constructed with up to the minute standard. Currently, it is providing service to users.
According to him, poverty is an historic enemy to Ethiopia. This enemy must be beaten in all forms by combined hands of all Ethiopians. Promoting education and science is one way to disarm poverty. In this regard, the science museum and other libraries are expected to play a significant role; and equipping the science library with necessary equipment and creating links with international science institutions and aircraft manufacturers is one vision of the government. By doing so, the new generation will have a practical experience about science.
They will have practical knowledge on how to assemble machines, airplanes or helicopters. Furthermore, facilitating flight simulator, a device that artificially reproduces computer-generated aircraft flight images, and is capable of simulating the environment of a flying machine, would support the young people to have knowhow about the conditions experienced on airplane flights.
Taking education and knowledge as a springboard for economic progress and conducting research as well as other significant works, Abrhot Library is constructed and equipped with both soft and hard copy books.
The Science Museum is the other area where the government has given special attention within the last reform years. As it was indicated by the Premier, the Science Library has integrated the state of the art designs that reflect the excellence of architecture. Like that of other projects, Ethiopian Renaissance Science Museum (ERSM) is the other manifestation of nation`s commitment to create better future for the coming generation.
What is more, as it was said by scholars ERSM has several advantages to the nation. Having such kind of Museum enables the current and the coming generations to have better understanding about the state of ancient civilization of Ethiopia, contributions of Ethiopia to the world’s civilization in terms of knowledge, art, philosophy, science, religion and the like matters. The Museum will also inspire the current and the future generations to dedicate themselves to science, research and building the nation. The role of the museum to attract tourists into the nation and promote domestic research and innovation is beyond question.
The current generation must have a new dimension about the world it is living in and needs to get tangible proof about the world. Obviously, the theoretical knowledge is now leaving the ground to the practical one in the form of virtual knowledge. And providing all the necessary technologies to the new generation is the responsibility of the government.
Abiy reported that his government has given special attention to the indigenous knowledge. As part of this endeavour Botanic Garden – Plant Library- is being constructed within the premises of the Palace. When this “Plant Library” is finalized, it will have no less than 6,000 indigenous Ethiopian plant species.
According to him, all the libraries and research institutions will not only help the new generation to have first-hand information about science and technology, it also has a significant role to know about the concept of Ethiopia- its past and future as well.
Expansion of schools is another area where the government has given special attention. Using the sector as an input and a springboard for other sectors, several educational institutions and schools were constructed during the reform years, especially in times Coronavirus pandemic erupted. “Following the political reformation of the country, about 2,150 additional schools were constructed, the Premier remarked.
According to him, despite all the challenges (natural as well as manmade) the educational sector is given special attention and positive results are registered. He also said that, in addition to the newly constructed schools, additional 15,000 classrooms were built.
What is more, by taking into consideration the issue of food as a key factor for those students whose families are found in bad economic situations, the government can manage and able to feed about 1.7 million students twice a day at the national level under its school feeding program.
It is obvious that the past reform years were not easy for Ethiopia. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, political instability together with economic constraints had shaken the nation to the point it could not withstand. However, due to the commitment of the people and the relentless efforts of the government, the challenges were taken as opportunities. Despite all these challenges, all the aforementioned schools, science museums and libraries were constructed.
The Ethiopian Herald June 16/2022
