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Why are students protesting the new fees?
Tikvah Ethiopia reported on Meskerem 29, 2019 E.C. (9 October 2026) that many students and examinees had complained after the Educational Assessment and Examination Service raised its service fees. Under the new rates, the university exit exam fee has gone from 750 birr to 2,000 birr. The report says similar increases apply to postgraduate entrance, the Grade 12 leaving exam and other verification services.
Students who spoke to the outlet said the rise is out of reach for many. One student took the university exit exam for the first time in 2017 E.C. and did not pass. To avoid losing 16 years of study, she paid 750 birr again and sat the exam. She did not pass a second time and was planning a third attempt, but said she has now chosen not to sit it rather than pay 2,000 birr.
Which students does the increase hit hardest?
The students quoted say the increase weighs most on unemployed students, students on low incomes and their families. Students starting second-degree study said the new rates had dimmed their hopes. A Grade 12 student called the 950 birr fee for the leaving exam unfair, saying Grade 12 pupils are in school, earn no income and depend on their families.
One student in the health field said the cost could push people away from the profession altogether. Students also want fees for correcting errors, including misspelled names, dropped completely. The report does not say how many students are affected or whether the new fees apply in every region.
What is the new fee, and when does it apply?
| Service | Fee before | Fee now |
|---|---|---|
| University exit exam | 750 birr | 2,000 birr |
| Grade 12 leaving exam | Not stated in the report | 950 birr (figure given by a student) |
Students also referred to a figure of 3,500 birr. The report does not say which service it applies to, and it gives no fees for postgraduate entrance or the verification services. The date the new fees take effect has not been announced in the report.
What should students do now?
Confirm your fee
Before you register or pay, ask the Educational Assessment and Examination Service for the fee that currently applies to your exam.
Watch for the official notice
Follow the service's own channels for a published fee schedule and a start date. The report does not say when either will be issued.
Plan the cost
If you plan to retake an exam, put the fee into your budget now, and ask the service whether any fee applies to correcting a name error.
How did the fee rise come about?
A Council of Ministers regulation sets the new service fees. New exam fees: exit exam 2,000 birr, NGAT 3,500 birr sets out those figures, including 3,500 birr for NGAT, which this report does not name.
Students had objected before this report as well, as covered in Students say the new exam fees put a retake out of reach.
Sources
Every figure and date above comes from one of these. Open them; a story about your child's school is worth checking.