Rebuilding Hope: Shewate Hugum Primary School Restores Learning for Children in Conflict-Affected Abergele District

In a move to restore vital community infrastructure, the Shewate Hugum Primary School in Abergele Woreda  has been successfully constructed and officially handed over to the regional authorities. The handover ceremonies, held on October 12, 2025, mark the completion of rehabilitation works carried out under the Response-Recovery-Resilience for Conflict-Affected Communities in Ethiopia (3R4CACE) Project, financed by the World Bank and implemented by UNOPS. This effort underscores a continued commitment to reestablishing essential education and health services for residents affected by conflict.

The comprehensive infrastructure project features two academic blocks housing eight spacious classrooms, each capable of accommodating 50 students. The school compound also includes a dedicated administration block, three hybrid toilet buildings with septic systems, a reliable water supply, and a full electrical system. External works such as perimeter fencing, gated access, walkways, and landscaping create a secure and conducive learning environment.

This intervention directly addresses a critical gap in the community. During the recent conflict, the area's educational infrastructure was severely compromised, leaving children without a place to learn. The new Shewate Hugum Primary School was constructed on a new site to specifically serve these children, who previously had no accessible school to attend.

The handover of this facility marks a pivotal change. The school is now equipped to enroll 852 students, dramatically increasing educational access. Furthermore, the design incorporates accessible and inclusive facilities, ensuring that disabled students can fully participate in school life. The project has also provided essential furniture, including school desks and blackboards, to ensure the classrooms are fully functional from day one.

Gezawi Teklay, Head of the Woreda Education Office, said: "Before this, our children were at home. Now they have a future. This school is not just buildings; it is the heart of our community, rebuilt."

The newly operational school will be supported by a target staff of 25 teachers and administrative personnel, who are ready to provide quality education within this new, resilient infrastructure.