Abstract:
Historical enquiry and research in Ethiopia has been for long centered on the general themes and
historical developments that revolve around the national historical phenomena. However, apart
from some references made in relation to the general historical researches in the warada in recent
times, it is difficult to find the study of the history of the Literacy Campaign in relatively detailed
way. It is towards filling the gap that the study has been conducted.
The major purposes of this thesis is to assess the History of the Literacy Campaign in Y elmana
Densa Warada from 1974-1991. Yelmana Densa is one of the Warada of West Gojjam
Administrative of the Amhara National Regional State. The existing literature reveals that in
Yelmana Densa, however, the first education was a church education, but modern education was
given even before 1974. Nevertheless, the study covers the period from the coming to power of
the Derg in 197 4 till it's down fall in 1991.
In the Derg period of 197 4-1991, in Y elmana Densa Warada, the government made remarkable
campaigns to expand education. Among these Campaigns the first was the Development through
Cooperation for Knowledge and Work Campaign. The second and the mass-based was the
National Literacy Campaign which was launched in 1979 and continued until 1991.
Moreover, the thesis deals with the activities of the Literacy Campaign in Yelmana Densa
Warada for a period from 197 4 to 1991. The study also focused on the policies of the
government to implement the literacy campaign programs. By this thesis attempt was made to
describe the attitude of the society during the Literacy Campaign. The thesis also indicated the
several changes that brought by the Literacy Campaign. Thus, by these campaigns, many people
of the Warada were able to read and write.
