In most cases they say they cannot feed themselves because of poverty. The other reason for dropping out is they started school late and often bigger than other children in classes. They tend to leave and get engaged in livelihood activities or marry. Outstanding first generation student Wube Wolde is a 16 year old first generation student of former Afer Gebeya NFBE who is now a grade 8 student in Sholekt Primary School. He was a student that obtained assistance before from WCAT. Wube has always been a rank student when in NFBE. He continued to be an outstanding student after joining Sholekt School. He has always been a prize winner. Wube stated that Afre Gebeya NFBE gave him a good academic foundation. In his present school, Wube is an active member of three clubs and has won award at Woreda level for his contribution in school clubs. According to Ebabau Azmera, Principal of Sholekt school, Wube is the most outstanding and promising student of the school. 3.3.2. Situation of first generation students One of the most important impacts that this evaluation found was that wherever the team went and spoke to different WEO officials, supervisors, principals, teachers and the first generation students themselves, it was able to conclude that the benefits from the previous project schools are very visible up to these days and has helped the students to continue their education with success. The evaluation team did not simply discuss with the 43 first generation students and other respondents, but also reviewed their academic records of the first semester and found out that their standings in their class were among the best. Of the 43 first generations students who are now in upper primary and secondary schools 74.4% stood 1-10 in their class rank while 25.6 % were in the 11-15 rank (rank 1 being the highest in academic performance) in class sizes ranging from 27-69 students per class (where being 27th and being 65th are the last ranks) in the different schools they are learning in. Kassa Molla, Este WEO education expert acknowledged that first generation children have not just continued their education in other schools but have always scored high in competitive tests given to their school by the WEO. He and the WEO head Haileyesus believe that all the currently enrolled first generation students will pursue 34
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