Parliament Flags Inequality Risks as Ethiopia Plans All-Digital National Exam

Mintesinot Nigussie

Ethiopia’s plan to administer the Grade 12 national examination fully online has drawn parliamentary concern over unequal access to electricity, internet connectivity and digital devices, with lawmakers warning rural students could be disadvantaged.

The issue was raised during a House of Peoples’ Representatives Standing Committee session where the Ministry of Education presented its nine-month report on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. The ministry said preparations are under way, including deployment of 122,000 computers and the formation of a multi-agency task force to oversee implementation. A total of 554,965 students have registered for the exam this year.

Lawmakers questioned whether infrastructure gaps in rural areas had been sufficiently addressed, citing frequent power cuts and unstable internet services. Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega said the online system is part of efforts to reduce exam malpractice, first explored during the Covid-19 period.

He noted pilot online exams began in 2016 Ethiopian calendar for 29,736 students, rising to 134,570 the following year. The ministry plans mock exams two months ahead of the main test and training for students and administrators.

Parliament said it will continue monitoring preparations as Ethiopia advances its digital examination rollout. The concerns highlight the need to address digital inequality to ensure fair access for all students.

Overall, the planned all-digital national exam represents a major step toward modernising Ethiopia’s education system, while raising important questions about equity and infrastructure readiness.