Eritrea - Ministry of Information

The rainy season of Eritrea starts in the month of June and continue to the mid of September where majority of the country gets its rain in this season except the eastern escarpments which gets its rain in the months of January to March. With the beginning of every rainy season both the farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture make efforts in order to achieve high productivity. Guaranteeing food security being the main theme of the Ministry, Shabait has conducted an interview with the Minster of Agriculture, Mr. Afrefaine Berhe, regarding the various activities of the Ministry. Experts follow:

The Government of Eritrea has established different vocational training centers with the view of enhancing the number of skilled professionals, particularly among the youth. These training centers are making significant contribution in nurturing knowledge-equipped young workers. These youth in turn are playing vital role in backing up the on-going national development campaign. The Center for Vocational Training (CEVOT) is one of such vocational training centers and was set up in 2007 in Sawa to implement the outlined strategy of the Government on the ground. Over 10,000 students have thus far graduated from the center over the past few years in different fields. The Director of the Center, Mr. Fessehaye Kidane, has conducted an interview on the general activities of the center. Excerpts follow:

Eritrea has registered outstanding results in a number of international competitions, owning to its talented athletes. The achievement registered in a very short period of time has contributed for the growth of a number of athlete clubs.  Setit Athletics Club is one of the clubs formed to bring forth talented athletes to the world of athletics podium. This club, which was established in 1997, comprises about 39 athletes aging from 14 up to 30 years. Mr. Livingston Abraham has been the coach of Setit Club from 2004 onward. He attended various courses, attained International Athletic Association of Federation (IAAF) Academic diploma and completed level five athletics coach training of international athletics. Following is the interview Mr. Livingstone conducted with Shabait:

Developing language literacy and communication skills is part of the Ministry of Education’s overall efforts to improve quality of education in the country. Following the comprehensive educational transformation in 2003, various activities including promotion of mother tongue as a medium of elementary education were carried out. Native languages are used as medium of instruction at elementary level and Arabic is a compulsory subject for all Eritrean school children in Grades 1-12. However, the teaching and learning of Arabic as a secondary language could not progress as desired for various reasons. Taking this set back into consideration, the Ministry of Education is conducting a workshop under the theme: “Language: Asset of Centuries, Medium of Communication”so as to map out the best plans and strategies for teaching and learning of Arabic language.  The two-day workshop was opened today and would continue until tomorrow at the Asmara Palace Hotel. Shabait conducted an interview with the Minister of Education, Mr. Semere Russom regarding the workshop, excerpts follow:

The 23rd round of the Warsay-Yikaalo Secondary School in Sawa took the National Secondary School Leaving Examination from March 15 to 20. This year the school has enrolled about 15,000 students from all parts of the country to complete their 12th grade studies in Sawa. Along side academic pursuits, the students who came together from different backgrounds learn to develop common understanding during the time they spend in Sawa together. Shabait conducted an interview with the director of Warsay-Yikaalo Secondary School Mr. Kiflay Andemichael regarding the overall activities of the school in Sawa. Excerpts follow:-

The annual Eritrean Book Fair was held from March 19 to 28 this year at Expo grounds in Asmara. The Fair was launched under the theme ‘Reading: Investment in Soft Power’, highlighting the vitality of nurturing reading habit. Over 80 institutions, book shops, embassies, schools and individuals took part in the Fair. Shabait conducted an interview with Mr. Isaac Yosief, from the Coordinating Committee in the Book Fair regarding the activities and objectives of the Fair. Excerpts follow: