Over 90% of Ethiopian Medical Students Dissatisfied with Training, World Bank Report Finds

A new report by the World Bank titled 'Public Workforce Performance and Prosperity' reveals that over 90 percent of medical students in Ethiopia are dissatisfied with the quality of their training. The rapid expansion of medical education, which forced public universities to increase student intake by three to four times beyond their capacity, has led to severe quality gaps. The study warns that graduates are entering the healthcare workforce without adequate practical preparation, placing additional strain on licensing and quality assurance systems. Furthermore, the report highlights that Ethiopia's national occupational competency certification system prioritizes theoretical knowledge over practical skill due to a lack of resources and technology. Beyond the health sector, the report revealed that nearly 30 percent of civil servants in Ethiopia were hired without passing through an open competitive recruitment process. Additionally, about 29 percent of local administrative managers inspect health and education facilities no more than twice a year, reflecting weak supervision and monitoring mechanisms.