Addis Ababa University Students’ Movement: The Case of Tilāhun Gizāw’s Assassination and Its Immediate Aftermath

Abstract

This section briefly deals with the educational background of the author as well as the core of the theme under discussion. I joined Addis Ababa University (AAU), then called Haile Selassie I University (HSIU) through Prince Bä’edä – Māriām Mäkonnen Laboratory School (popularly known as Lab School) in 1967 (1960 EC). Bä’edä – Māriām was a one year grade 12 preparatory school for university education. It used to enroll grade 11 complete students with good academic performance in grades 9, 10 and 11 and who also successfully score good results in an entrance examination set by the Faculty of Education. The examination was administered to grade 11 students in all high schools throughout the country. It consisted of the English language, mathematics, natural sciences (physics, chemistry and biology), social sciences (geography and history) as well as aptitude. The primary objective of the school was to provide competent instructors for senior secondary schools after four years of university education.