1957 SPEECHES OF H.I.M

OPENS DEBRE BERHAN TEACHER TRAINING CENTRE

*****************************************

OPENS DEBRE BERHAN TEACHER TRAINING CENTRE

By establishing for InI people educational institutions ranging from the elementary level to that of a University College, InI have enabled their natural intelligence to be reinforced by acquired knowledge. In this InI 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.

InI efforts in this sense are being fulfilled as far as the children and young people are concerned. InI 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 InI previously issued instructions indicating that all InI people should acquire fundamental education; that they should read and write Amharic, the official language of the country, and when 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 InI ever devote InI energies should be shared by all InI people throughout InI Empire. However, to obtain this objective, capable teachers must be secured; it was in the pursuit of this aim, that InI directed this building to be constructed as a special Teachers Training Centre. Now that the work of construction has begun, InI give thanks to the Almighty, who has granted to InI to preside today over the ceremony of its inauguration.

MUST RIPEN AND MATURE

So far, through the existing education facilities, not only have many children and adults been spared from being branded as illiterates, and 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; and that is not enough. What InI desire for InI people in future consists of three main objectives: First, that every Ithiopian may be spared from illiteracy; second, that through the development of his own inborn capabilities he may become not a liability and an asset to his nation, and a benefit to himself, to his neighborhood, and to this 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 judgments, while retaining the fear of his Creator.

For the higher educational institutions which, with much effort, InI 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 InI 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 InI how age need not prove a hinderance. Therefore you should strive assiduously 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, prepared for the tasks ahead, it is InI 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 Ithiopian.

FIRM STRUCTURE

As for Ourselves, in every task wherein InI labour, InI chief aim is that InI beloved people shall, during InI reign, proceed apace along the path of culture, improving their individual condition and living a life of peace, prosperity and happiness.

And when InI say that, it is essential that InI people should fully overstand the following point. Unless each beam be sound, the whole structure of a house cannot be firm; and so, unless each Ithiopian 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 Ithiopia. Similarly, when 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 InI place our full hope in the teachers who go forth from this Centre---that through them, InI people may receive, in respect of their individual lives, the help which InI wish to be extended to them.

In the planning of this Community Education Teachers Training Centre InI have received assistance from persons who have experience in this field, and to them---the experts of Point Four and of UNESCO---InI express InI thanks. InI are convinced that the work wherein they have collaborated with InI will prosper.

InI sincerely thank the U.S. Government for its assistance in the establishment of this school. InI also appreciate the good words expressed by H.E. the U.S. Ambassador and for the spirit of co-operation he has shown.

It is, therefore, with deep satisfaction that InI inaugurate and declare open, the Community Education Teachers Training Centre at Debre Berhan.

APRIL 26, 1957

************************************************************

NURSES' TRAINING

There is nothing that tends more readily to induce in InI heart feelings of joy and solace, than to see the youth of InI land growing up and maturing through education, in whatever sphere it may be. All the knowledge to be drawn from the fountain-head of education, not only contributes to the well-being of mankind and to the performance of humanitarian deeds, it is also a veritable pillar upholding the liberty of the land. It is by the strength of the knowledge gained from education that man develops his ideas and brings his labours to success.

In choosing for your own sphere the vocation of nursing---the caring for and tending of the sick---you have made a noble choice, for it is one of the truly humanitarian professions. However, it will not always be in hospitals fitted with every convenience that you will carry out this your chosen task; you will have to go to all sorts of places where toil and trouble await you. Your training and your profession make this incumbent upon you. How great a thing it really is, to be able to help your fellow-men, tortured by pain and troubled by disease---to bring rest and relief to body and soul alike! Your own awareness of it may be limited, and the patient who receives your care will surely feel it and appreciate it deeply.

This said, it becomes necessary for InI to repeat to you today the words of advice which InI gave in 1956, to your sister nurses, on the occasion when they similarly received at InI hands their certificates of graduation: "Your profession calls for discipline---the discipline of study and devotion to obedience and duty, the discipline of self-restraint and cleanliness, and the discipline of life-long devotion to learning, since knowledge knows no bounds. When you take these fundamental disciplines as your guiding principles, your work will display the highest qualities." You must be nurses not merely in name, truly in the obligations of that noble calling.

InI are today laying the foundation-stone of a branch, which---subsidized by a joint Ithiopian and Swedish fund---will, in connection with this hospital, care for the health of expectant mothers and infants. InI are very much pleased that in addition to its other functions this establishment will provide training for the nursing profession. InI trust that the School will prove fruitful in supplying an adequate number of nurses.

InI beloved daughter, Princess Tsahai Haile Selassie, who was cut off in the flower of her youth, completed her training as a nurse. Following the example of Florence Nightingale, she sought not her own comfort and pleasure, she sacrificed herself in the service of the sick and the suffering. With sincere devotion and compassion, she applied herself to the task of succouring and comforting the sick. You who work or learn in this Hospital which bears her name should have her example engraved on your hearts and minds!

OCTOBER 17, 1957

************************************************************