Due to COVID-19 outbreak, schools are closed in many countries of the world. China is the first to develop a distance learning program of 'Schools Out, But Classes On' not to disrupt learning. Ethiopia has closed schools on 16 March 2020 after it has confirmed the first coronavirus on 13 March 2020. To avoid the disruption of learning the Ethiopian Ministry of Education has tried to develop strategies to resume classes at home. Accordingly, radio and TV education programs are designed for primary education, TV program for secondary education, and online teaching for higher education. This article aimed at exploring the educational inequality of rural students of Ethiopia using situational analysis. The findings unveil the multiple inequalities of rural students that make them in a disadvantaged position compared to urban students. The available distance learning programs homogenises students which can create educational inequality.

This study had the objective of assessing the roles and challenges of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in urban employment creation in Debre Berhan Town, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. Mixed research approach was adopted and both primary and secondary data was collected. The study had a total of 352 respondents who were selected using systematic sampling technique. Tools of data collection were questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The findings of the study revealed that MSEs have indeed contributed significantly in creating urban employment, and in generating income of employees. However, the capacity of creating employment and generating income varies among MSE. While the construction and manufacturing sectors had better employment creation and income generation capacity, trade sector was the least in creating such opportunities. The challenges of MSEs in employment creation include lack of adequate finances, inputs, poor organizational structure and management, poor government support and regulations, and technological challenges.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a worldwide phenomenon. Despite many attempts for its abolishment, FGM is undergoing till today. This study has been conducted in Six Woredas of Southern Region of Ethiopia in order to assess the prevalence of FGM, to explore its drivers, to assess documentation and tracking practices, and political will and synergy of actors against FGM. A total of 120 respondents were taken as a sample. Data has been collected using questionnaire, key informant interview, and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that FGM is prevalent in the study Woredas. It is practiced secretly and there is also a cross-boundary circumcision which makes documentation and tracking practices challenging. FGM is mainly practiced by traditional cutters and ‘festal doctors'. It is mainly practiced simply because it has been practiced by the previous generation. FGM is also perceived as medication to ‘chebela' [genital ‘disease']. Girls also perceive FGM as a sign of braveness. The political will and synergy different actors in the study Woredas, were found to be weak.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, schools are closed in many countries worldwide. China is the first to develop a distance learning program of ‘Schools Out, But Classes On' not to disrupt learning. Ethiopia closed schools on 16 March 2020 after it confirmed the first coronavirus on 13 March 2020. To avoid learning disruption, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education has tried to develop strategies to resume classes at home. Accordingly, radio and TV education programs are designed for primary education, secondary education programs, and online teaching for higher education. This chapter aimed to explore the educational inequality of rural students of Ethiopia using situational analysis. The findings unveil the multiple inequalities of rural students that make them disadvantaged compared to urban students. The available distance learning programs homogenize students, which can create educational inequality.

Currently there are 34 universities in Ethiopia which enrolled hundreds of thousands of students which generated large volume of waste paper a year. Therefore, this article has an objective of assessing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of poor paper management at higher education institutions of Ethiopia with a particular focus on Hawassa University. The findings of the study revealed that a large volume of paper is consumed for different academic purposes. Due to the poor management of paper consumption as well as poor waste management practices, the university faced socio-economic and environmental problems. By 2015/16 academic year a total of 94,025 reams of paper were used at Hawassa University. This has created a large volume of waste paper at offices, which resulted in unpleasant working environment. Incineration is the only means of waste paper disposal, which created environmental pollution and health risks to the university community. Moreover, the university also lost a significant amount of money which would have been gained from selling to paper recycling industries.