The latest update from Liyu and Kidus

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The latest update from Liyu and Kidus.
 
It is recalled that the food budget for university students has been improved by quadrupling it. While the periodic improvement of the food budget, which had been requested, is seen as a positive step, students have told us that the increase in the food budget rate has, on the other hand, raised concerns due to the additional payment added to the cost-sharing scheme (#Cost_Sharing).
For example, based on the new food menu calculation, a student who has studied at a university for up to six years is expected to pay the government approximately 150,000 Birr to obtain their main educational certificate upon graduation.
It has been pointed out that this is burdensome for graduates given the current situation in the country, and experts in the field have suggested that the government should consider other alternatives as a solution. In connection with this, one proposed solution frequently heard from experts is that since the number of students entering universities has decreased in recent times, the government cannot continue to provide the same level of support.
We spoke to Dr. Solomon Abreha, the Executive Director of Administration and Infrastructure at the Ministry of Education, who said that while the number of students entering universities directly may decrease, the number of students admitted through capacity-building programs, when combined, is not significantly lower than before, and universities are still accepting students accordingly.
Beyond the increase in the daily food budget for students from 22 Birr to 100 Birr last December, the Ministry of Education had also sent a letter to universities to standardize the food menu across all public universities. However, we have heard that some universities continued with the previous food menu even after this directive was issued and the food budget rate was revised.
Melaku Yirgalem, a 5th-year law student at Debre Markos University and the representative for associations and clubs in the university's student union, told us that although there has been some improvement in the food supply at the university, the food menu directive issued by the Ministry of Education has not been implemented. When the student union raised the issue with the university administration based on students' requests, we learned from Melaku that one reason cited was the instability in the region. In particular, it was mentioned that items like vegetables, specified in the directive, are not readily available locally.
When we raised this student concern with Dr. Solomon Abreha, he said that it has only been a few months since the directive was issued, and they have not yet reviewed its implementation within that time frame. However, he added that there are plans to visit universities soon to conduct an assessment.
Even with the new daily food allowance for students, which increased from 22 Birr to 100 Birr a few months ago, it is explained that this helps universities adjust the budget they previously used to subsidize food costs from other expenses. However, given the current cost of living, it cannot be said to be sufficient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It is recalled that in the past, universities, claiming their food budget was insufficient, would report to the Ministry of Education that they were educating thousands of students they were not actually teaching. Now, however, Dr. Solomon Abreha stated that since the Ministry of Education has established a Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) to record the exact number and full details of students at all universities, there is no longer an opportunity for them to submit false information
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