Mekelle University: Seeks Ethiopia Student Assignment, Cites Operational Campuses

• Mekelle University requested the Ethiopian Ministry of Education assign students, stating six of its seven campuses are operational and capable of providing safe education.
• On September 14, 2026, the Ministry of Education announced temporary reassignment for students from Tigray universities to other public institutions due to regional circumstances.
• Mekelle University's Quiha Meles Technology Campus has been unavailable since 2021, sustaining war damage and subsequently used as a rehabilitation and DDR center.
• An online registration portal was scheduled to launch on the evening of September 14, 2026, for students to register for reassignment.
• The Tigray regional Education Bureau accused the Ethiopian government of intensifying attacks on schools, citing specific airstrike and drone strike incidents in 2026 that damaged facilities and affected students.

The Ministry of Education's announcement and Mekelle University's request unfold against a backdrop of persistent concerns regarding the state of Ethiopia education post-conflict, particularly within the Tigray region.

Mekelle University has formally requested that Ethiopia's Ministry of Education facilitate the Mekelle University student assignment Ethiopia, asserting that six of its seven campuses are fully operational and prepared to deliver secure and effective education. This appeal was articulated in a letter dated September 14, 2026, which served as a direct response to a prior communication from the ministry concerning the condition of the Quiha Meles Technology Campus and the broader issue of student placement for those previously enrolled in Tigrayan universities. This proactive step by Mekelle University aims to ensure continuity in higher education amidst regional challenges.

Concurrently, on the same date, the Ministry of Education publicly announced its intention to temporarily reassign students from universities located in Tigray to other public institutions across the country. This decision, conveyed by Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega, was attributed to the prevailing "current circumstances" in the region and an imperative to safeguard student well-being. The announcement was made during a dialogue with students who had convened at the ministry's Addis Ababa premises, having been unable to resume their studies due to the ongoing situation in Tigray. The ministry also outlined an accessible online registration portal, scheduled for launch on the evening of September 14, to streamline the transfer process, obviating the need for students to travel to ministry offices. Students were advised to promptly complete the digital transfer form, providing essential details such as their former university, academic year, and field of study. State Minister Professor Kindeya Gebrehiwot, alongside other senior ministry officials, addressed student inquiries and offered clarifications during the meeting, underscoring the government's efforts regarding Ethiopia Ministry of Education student placement.

In its communication to the Ministry of Education, Mekelle University provided a detailed update on its Mekelle University operational status, specifically addressing the condition of its Quiha Meles Technology Campus. The university clarified that this particular campus has been inaccessible since 2021, having sustained considerable damage during the 2020-2022 conflict. Following the cessation of hostilities, the Quiha Meles Technology Campus damage led to its repurposing, initially serving as a rehabilitation center for individuals injured during the conflict. Subsequently, after the signing of the 2022 Pretoria Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, the campus was utilized as one of the designated centers for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program within Tigray, a fact corroborated by a letter from the National Rehabilitation Commission cited by the university.

Despite the ongoing unavailability of the Quiha campus, Mekelle University emphasized that its remaining six campuses have consistently maintained their core functions, including teaching, research, and community engagement activities. The institution firmly asserted that the temporary closure of the Quiha facility has not diminished its overall capacity to deliver quality education. Furthermore, the university indicated that it has intensified its collaborative efforts with relevant authorities to facilitate the eventual evacuation and return of the Quiha campus to its control, particularly since receiving the ministry's initial letter. The university assured the ministry that its currently operational campuses are safe, peaceful, and conducive learning environments, reiterating its request for student assignments to be made in accordance with its demonstrated operational status and capacity. This reflects a broader effort towards Tigray higher education recovery.

The Ministry of Education's announcement and Mekelle University's request unfold against a backdrop of persistent concerns regarding the state of Ethiopia education post-conflict, particularly within the Tigray region. The Tigray regional Education Bureau has publicly accused the Ethiopian government of escalating attacks on schools and educational infrastructure, even as the region prepares for the 2026/27 academic year. In a statement released from Mekelle on August 27, the bureau detailed a continuous "pattern of destruction" that has adversely affected schools, educators, and students alike.

The bureau's allegations include claims of air and drone strikes throughout 2026 that reportedly destroyed classrooms, damaged vital educational equipment, and resulted in injuries to teachers and their families. Specific incidents cited include a January airstrike that obliterated four classrooms and student drinking-water facilities at Zalaqme Primary School in Kola Tembien woreda, impacting 432 enrolled students. Additionally, an August 10 drone strike on Merewa General Secondary School in Raya Alamata woreda reportedly damaged four classrooms and educational equipment, potentially affecting over 800 students. These reports highlight the severe challenges facing educational institutions and students in Tigray, complicating efforts for a comprehensive return to normalcy and stable learning environments.

Lawyers advising educational institutions or students in Ethiopia's Tigray region should monitor the Ministry of Education's student reassignment process and Mekelle University's operational status, as these developments impact educational access, institutional capacity, and potential legal challenges related to post-conflict recovery and student rights.

Source: Original reporting via Addis Abeba.