The social, moral and practical lessons Ethiopia's Borana pastoralists gain over a lifetime of learning have been the foundation of a way of life that has allowed them to survive — and thrive — in this difficult landscape for centuries. In this remote rural context, going to ‘school’ generally requires Borana children to leave this ‘school of life’ in favor of classroom-based education in nearby towns. But high drop out rates and poor quality education mean that, despite significant investment, many of these children are left without the skills they need to succeed in either world. Developing better educational models for pastoralist communities requires re-examining existing education provision and moving beyond some of its unquestioned assumptions.
