A study conducted by the Institute of Education Research of Addis Abeba University in selected schools of four regional states revealed that the quality of primary education is declining.

The research, presented by the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, on December 27, 2012 at Semen Hotel stated that the majority of primary students score below the minimum 50pc expected for all subjects.

The decline in quality of education is expressed in the research in terms of the students' inability to attain the basic literacy and numeracy skills expected at different grade levels, according to the study.

The research also identified there is a mismatch between the students' capacity to learn with their grade level. Some students were not even able to properly comprehend classroom instructions, especially those that were given in English.