Addis Ababa Reports 89% Pass Rate in 8th Grade Exit Exam, Signaling Steady Academic Progress











ADDIS ABABA – June 24, 2025 — The Addis Ababa Education Bureau has officially released the results of the 2017 Ethiopian calendar (2024/2025 Gregorian) 8th Grade Exit Examination, revealing that an impressive 89 percent of students have successfully passed and are now eligible to advance to the 9th grade.

Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon, Dr. Zellamo Mulatu, Head of the Education Bureau, shared key statistics and insights into this year’s performance. According to the Bureau, 62,639 out of the 70,525 students who sat for the exam achieved the minimum passing criteria, a figure that underscores the capital city’s continued investment in education despite various challenges.

“This is a promising outcome,” Dr. Zellamo stated, “and a reflection of the collective efforts of students, educators, families, and policymakers. While we celebrate this achievement, we also recognize areas where continued support is necessary—particularly in schools serving marginalized communities.”

Top Performers: Boarding and Private Schools Lead the Rankings

Among the 20 highest-scoring students in Addis Ababa, a significant number—13 students—attended government boarding schools, which are known for offering more structured academic support. Additionally, 3 of the top performers came from private institutions, suggesting that both public and private sectors are contributing to academic excellence. The remaining four top scorers were not specified in the announcement.

This year’s highest individual score was 97.3, a notable benchmark that reflects academic rigor and student discipline.

Digital Access to Results

To ensure transparency and ease of access, the Education Bureau has made the results available online. Students and guardians can check individual scores through a dedicated link published on the Bureau’s official social media platforms, reflecting the growing integration of digital tools in public service delivery.

https://aa.ministry.et

Broader Educational Context

The 8th Grade Exit Exam serves as a critical academic milestone in Ethiopia’s educational system, marking the transition from primary to secondary school. The exam is standardized across the country and used to assess student readiness for the more demanding curriculum in higher grades.

In recent years, Addis Ababa has seen improvements in both educational infrastructure and student performance metrics. However, disparities still exist between schools in well-resourced urban neighborhoods and those in underdeveloped or overcrowded districts.

Educational experts have pointed out that while high pass rates are encouraging, there must also be a focus on quality of learning, student retention, and inclusive education—particularly for girls, students with disabilities, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.



Dr. Zellamo concluded by encouraging all stakeholders to use the momentum from this year’s success to double down on reforms aimed at improving teaching standards, school facilities, and equity in education.

“The real measure of progress is not just how many pass, but how well we prepare our students for the future,” he added.