This study provides an historical account and critical appraisal of the educational policies in Ethiopia since 1941. Chapters include: (1) "Introduction"; (2) "Postwar Reconstruction and the Formation of an Educational System 1941-51"; (3) "Toward the Planned Development of Education 1951-61"; (4) "A New Challenge of Educational Development 1961-73"; and (5) "Towards a Socialist System of Education." Difficulties encountered in assessing educational achievement are examined as the country struggles with development issues that relate to the place of education in the scheme of national policy-making and socioeconomic change. Extensive statistical data are presented to explicate the study. Suggested strategies address the identified shortcomings of the problem of the"educated-unemployed" sector where economic expansion has not kept pace with educational expansion. Involvement of the educational sector in policy design, planning, and implementation is suggested as one possible solution. (EH)