| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Opens Debre Berhan Teacher Training Centre Apr. 26, 1957 |
| Selected Speeches |
By establishing for our people educational institutions ranging from the
elementary level to that of a University College, we have enabled their
natural intelligence to be reinforced by acquired knowledge. In this our
object has been to raise their standard of living, for in so far as they profit
from the education they receive, so may they improve their material
resources.
Our efforts in this sense are being fulfilled as far as the children and young
people are concerned. But we feel it incumbent upon Us to take thought
also for those other folk who, by reason of their age, or of their
occupation or position, are unable to receive the advantage derived from
modern education. It was to give practical expression to this thought that
we previously issued instructions indicationg that all our people should
acquire fundamental education; that they should read and write Amharic,
the official language of the country, and if possible learn additional
subjects in foreign fields. Since these instructions were issued, basic
education is progressing satisfactorily, and people are frequenting schools
assiduously and in large numbers.
The products of learning and knowledge, then benefit the life of
mankind; and these fruits of education to the cultivation of which we
ever devote our energies should be shared by all our people
throughout our Empire. However, to obtain this objective, capable
teachers must be secured; it was in the pursuit of this aim, that we
directed this building to be constructed as a special Teachers Training
Centre. Now that the work of construction is finished, and that of
instruction has begun, we give thanks to the Almighty, who has granted
to us to preside today over the ceremony of its inauguration.
elementary level to that of a University College, we have enabled their
natural intelligence to be reinforced by acquired knowledge. In this our
object has been to raise their standard of living, for in so far as they profit
from the education they receive, so may they improve their material
resources.
Our efforts in this sense are being fulfilled as far as the children and young
people are concerned. But we feel it incumbent upon Us to take thought
also for those other folk who, by reason of their age, or of their
occupation or position, are unable to receive the advantage derived from
modern education. It was to give practical expression to this thought that
we previously issued instructions indicationg that all our people should
acquire fundamental education; that they should read and write Amharic,
the official language of the country, and if possible learn additional
subjects in foreign fields. Since these instructions were issued, basic
education is progressing satisfactorily, and people are frequenting schools
assiduously and in large numbers.
The products of learning and knowledge, then benefit the life of
mankind; and these fruits of education to the cultivation of which we
ever devote our energies should be shared by all our people
throughout our Empire. However, to obtain this objective, capable
teachers must be secured; it was in the pursuit of this aim, that we
directed this building to be constructed as a special Teachers Training
Centre. Now that the work of construction is finished, and that of
instruction has begun, we give thanks to the Almighty, who has granted
to us to preside today over the ceremony of its inauguration.
| Must Ripen and Mature |
| Haile Selassie the First - April 26, 1957 |
| Firm Structure |
As for Ourselves, in every task wherein We labour, Our chief aim is that
Our beloved people shall, during Our reign, proceed apace along the path
of culture, improving their individual condition and living a life of peace,
prosperity and happiness.
And when we say that, it is essential that our people should fully
understand the following point. Unless each beam be sound, the whole
structure of a house cannot be firm; and so, unless each Ethiopian citizen
improves his own individual lot by culture, educating himself and his
children, and making his family healthy and prosperous, capable and
industrious, he cannot benefit his beloved land and the realm of Ethiopia.
Similarly, if a man is sick, in one part of his body, his whole constitution is
upset. It is the same with a people. Unless each man's life be complete,
displaying education and prosperity, the people as a whole cannot share in
common a flourishing existence, nor can it give its government cause for
pride. It is for this reason that we place our full hope in the teachers who
go forth from this Centre -- that through them, our people may receive, in
respect of their individual lives, the help which we wish to be extended to
them.
In the planning of this Community Education Teachers Training Centre
We have received assistance from persons who have experience in this
field, and to them -- the experts of Point Four and of UNESCO -- We
express Our thanks. We are convinced tht the work wherein they have
collaborated with Us will proper.
We sincerely than the U.S. Government for its assistance in the
establishment of this school. We also appreciate the good works
expressed by H.E. and U.S. Ambassador and for the spirit of co-operation
he has shown.
It is, therefore, with deep satisfaction that we inaugurate and declare open,
the Community Education Teachers Training Centre at Debre Berhan.
Our beloved people shall, during Our reign, proceed apace along the path
of culture, improving their individual condition and living a life of peace,
prosperity and happiness.
And when we say that, it is essential that our people should fully
understand the following point. Unless each beam be sound, the whole
structure of a house cannot be firm; and so, unless each Ethiopian citizen
improves his own individual lot by culture, educating himself and his
children, and making his family healthy and prosperous, capable and
industrious, he cannot benefit his beloved land and the realm of Ethiopia.
Similarly, if a man is sick, in one part of his body, his whole constitution is
upset. It is the same with a people. Unless each man's life be complete,
displaying education and prosperity, the people as a whole cannot share in
common a flourishing existence, nor can it give its government cause for
pride. It is for this reason that we place our full hope in the teachers who
go forth from this Centre -- that through them, our people may receive, in
respect of their individual lives, the help which we wish to be extended to
them.
In the planning of this Community Education Teachers Training Centre
We have received assistance from persons who have experience in this
field, and to them -- the experts of Point Four and of UNESCO -- We
express Our thanks. We are convinced tht the work wherein they have
collaborated with Us will proper.
We sincerely than the U.S. Government for its assistance in the
establishment of this school. We also appreciate the good works
expressed by H.E. and U.S. Ambassador and for the spirit of co-operation
he has shown.
It is, therefore, with deep satisfaction that we inaugurate and declare open,
the Community Education Teachers Training Centre at Debre Berhan.
So far, through the existing education facilities, not only have many
children and adults been spared from being branded as illiterates, but many
too are they who have reached the University level and completed their
studies there. Folks crowd the doors of centres of learning, and a number
of them pass in and out of them; but that is not enough. What We desire
for Our people in future consists of three main objectives: First, that
every Ethiopian may be spared from illiteracy; second, that through the
development of his own inborn capabilities he may become not a liability
but an asset to his country; third, that he must ripen and mature in
knowledge and education, and pass them on to posterity. In addition, in
this day and age, he must keep far from his mind the belief that he knows
quite enough. The educated person will consider and weigh the welfare of
the individual and the community, and will form critical judgements, while
retaining the fear of his Creator.
For the higher educational institutions which, with much effort, we have
established -- such as the Agricultural College, the Building College and the
University College -- enough students have not been found. In several
countries of the world we see persons who do work of various kinds
during the day, in order to get the necessary money to live by, in the
evening they devote their time to study, and to reach a sufficient level of
education to qualify as doctors or engineers. Such men, who have the
love of learning in their hearts, show us how age need not prove a
hinderance. Therefore you should strive assisduously to make yourselves,
by education, worthy men; and for this it matters not whether it be by day
or by night, nor whether you be child or adult, man or woman.
As the Gospel tells us, a house built upon strong foundations can never be
overthrown by storms. Similarly, when people are built up with minds
well formed by education and knowledge, no trial of whatever kind can
conquer them. Therefore, as regards the teachers who go forth from this
Centre, prepare for the tasks ahead, it is our hope that they will advise,
help and teach their brothers living in the country districts, in matters of
health, of husbandry, of handicraft, and in other useful spheres, placing
the knowledge they have gained from new cultural methods at the service
of each and every Ethiopian.
children and adults been spared from being branded as illiterates, but many
too are they who have reached the University level and completed their
studies there. Folks crowd the doors of centres of learning, and a number
of them pass in and out of them; but that is not enough. What We desire
for Our people in future consists of three main objectives: First, that
every Ethiopian may be spared from illiteracy; second, that through the
development of his own inborn capabilities he may become not a liability
but an asset to his country; third, that he must ripen and mature in
knowledge and education, and pass them on to posterity. In addition, in
this day and age, he must keep far from his mind the belief that he knows
quite enough. The educated person will consider and weigh the welfare of
the individual and the community, and will form critical judgements, while
retaining the fear of his Creator.
For the higher educational institutions which, with much effort, we have
established -- such as the Agricultural College, the Building College and the
University College -- enough students have not been found. In several
countries of the world we see persons who do work of various kinds
during the day, in order to get the necessary money to live by, in the
evening they devote their time to study, and to reach a sufficient level of
education to qualify as doctors or engineers. Such men, who have the
love of learning in their hearts, show us how age need not prove a
hinderance. Therefore you should strive assisduously to make yourselves,
by education, worthy men; and for this it matters not whether it be by day
or by night, nor whether you be child or adult, man or woman.
As the Gospel tells us, a house built upon strong foundations can never be
overthrown by storms. Similarly, when people are built up with minds
well formed by education and knowledge, no trial of whatever kind can
conquer them. Therefore, as regards the teachers who go forth from this
Centre, prepare for the tasks ahead, it is our hope that they will advise,
help and teach their brothers living in the country districts, in matters of
health, of husbandry, of handicraft, and in other useful spheres, placing
the knowledge they have gained from new cultural methods at the service
of each and every Ethiopian.
| Chapter I - Part 3 |
| General Education |