Ethiopia’s Grade 12 National Exam Pass Rate Rises to 12.8%: What Education Minister Berhanu Nega Said
Ethiopia's Education Minister announced that the national Grade 12 pass rate rose to 12.8% in 2026, marking a significant improvement over the previous year. Despite this progress, the government acknowledges that the vast majority of students still fail to meet university-admission thresholds.
Why it matters
The data highlights the ongoing struggle to improve secondary education outcomes in Ethiopia, which is critical for the country's long-term economic development.
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Ethiopia’s 2018 E.C. Grade 12 national examination results show a significant improvement in the national pass rate, but the figures also reveal major differences between regions, schools, examination formats and academic streams.
Education Minister Professor Berhanu Nega announced the results during a press briefing on August 22, 2026, saying that the performance of students had “incredibly improved” compared with previous years.
According to the Ministry’s figures, 70,544 students scored the required 50% or higher, representing a national pass rate of 12.8% among the 550,210 students who actually sat for the examination. Last year, the pass rate was about 8.4%, meaning the latest result represents a substantial improvement.
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