Currently, there are about 372 Kindergarten, 6233 primary schools (1-8), 211 first cycle secondary schools, 103 preparatory secondary schools and 53 technical & vocational schools (TVET) in the region.  The number of teachers and students in primary schools are 74894 and 3,762,600 respectively. This shows that gross enrollment ratio in primary education is 99.8 per cent . The female enrolment (48.5) is lower than their male counterparts.

Drop out and repetition rates are significant in primary education; at 13.8 per cent and 5.65 respectively in 2001 E.C. Distance is one factor that contributes to less access to education especially in rural areas. For example, in the region, out of the total rural population, nearly 32 per cent reside in more than 5 kilometers distance far from the nearby primary school. Besides, the need for labor by family and traditional and cultural practices such as marriage contribute a lot to female dropout rate.

The reality in secondary schools is not quite different from the one depicted above. Gross enrollment in first cycle secondary schools is only 38.4 per cent. Thus, more attention should be given to sustain the continuity of students to stay at schools over the education colander. Despite the above facts, the regional government has given much emphasis to promote basic education in the region. This can be understood from the fact that nearly 28.9 per cent of the total budget is allocated to this sector in 2001 E.C.