Sawa: A Rite of Passage
By Natnael Yebio W.
https://shabait.com/2022/07/19/sawa-a-r ... eaPrevails
GENERAL
Jul 19, 2022
My father was the first in my family to go to Sawa, in 1998. Back then, he was part of the Eritrean reserve army during the TPLF war of invasion. He left behind his pregnant wife & four kids, to serve his duty. Having done so, he came back two years later. Fast forward to 2008 I was part of the 22nd round, the first in my family to go to Sawa to complete my 12th Grade education, sit for a college entry exam and do my 6 month military training. Since then, five of my siblings have participated in different rounds. We sent our sixth this morning & we will send our last, two years from now.
Sawa occupies a central place, in Eritrean Families. The establishment of Sawa in 1994 and the subsequent National Service Proclamation No. 82/1995 was inducted so as to play a leading role in developing the skills of the youth in order to develop and enhance the skills of human resources, build the capacity required to achieve sustainable and holistic development and establish people-based strong defense force to assure the existence of free and sovereign Eritrea. Furthermore, the reform of the education system in 2003 reinforced this policy by introducing a modern and effective teaching and learning methodology that is student-centered and designed to stimulate students’ active participation; as well as encourage teacher-student interaction.
The final year of secondary school education at 12th grade has been conducted in Sawa’s Warsay-Yikaalo Secondary School, since 2003. Here, students from all over the country live under one-roof and are given equal opportunities of education, free of charge. At the end of the academic year, they all sit for their final national examination and those who earn the required grades join one of the eight colleges spread all over the country.
For instance, roughly 30 to 35% of students who take their national examination join colleges yearly. Those who attain grades below the university entrance requirement are given various technical and vocational training courses in Sawa, so they could acquire skills that are required in the nation-building endeavors.
Recently, Mai-Nefhi College of Science graduated 193 students while the College of Business and Social Sciences graduated 654 students. These are students, who joined their respective colleges via Sawa.
One of my best experiences during my stay in Sawa was when I was studying for my matriculation exams, I was once chosen as a peer Educator and when I was asked what subject I preferred to teach, I simply chose history. Just as my once mild teachers taught history, I embarked to teach it the same way. I strived to be the best history peer educator & the only way I know how, by being a storyteller.
Eritrea believes, the heart of development is the role of the youth in shaping the future. As such, young people are active drivers of change in their respective communities. They need structured mechanism for participation through decision-making, ideally in co-decision manner, and especially in areas that have a clear impact on young people. With the right political commitment, young people can fulfill their roles. That is where Sawa, comes in.
Sawa also happens to be serving as a melting pot, for Eritrea’s nine ethnic groups. It is a reminder, of how much responsibility the place bears. Since its inception, it has produced remarkable students, a diligent working force as well as a strong residual defense institution.
In a country where we have a close-knit society, Sawa, although challenging, is a perfect place for the youth. The weather, though hot, one gets used to it over time. For the youth of Eritrea, it is a rite of passage. It is a year, where each participant gets to reflect & get a sense of belonging outside of one’s family. For those twelve months, your family is the ones you meet in Sawa.
A friend of mine, who aptly calls products of Sawa as Sawa man and Sawa Woman, once said, these formidable young citizens have set in motion events that still sustain Eritrean societies in myriad ways. If you go to a clinic, a Sawa Man and woman is there; if you go to schools, trenches, development areas, downtown services, cultural show centers, research centers, and even outside Eritrea and all over the world; there are hundreds of thousands of Sawa Man and woman who are in charge of their own futures. I couldn’t have said it any better myself. And as a fellow Sawa man, I can vouch for that truth.
is a country that knows our reward!
🤭
