Last weekend, the government opened a new wave of "gffa", nighttime roundups, of Eritrean youth in Asmara, particularly in the neighborhoods of "Paradiso" and "Mai Temenai."

Earlier, the government had issued a directive with a June 30 deadline instructing all 11th graders to voluntarily report for shipment to Sawa, its military compound in Western Eritrea.   The students are to receive a three-month military training before they enroll at Sawa High School which is, effective the 2003-04 academic year, the only institution authorized to offer 12th grade level instruction.

Depending on their grades, those who successfully complete the course will be referred to the University of Asmara or any of the vocational technical colleges.  Those who fail are expected to join the 18th month compulsory national service.

Parents have also been informed that they will be assessed a fee for the dorm and administrative expenses.  No amount has been specified, although it is widely expected to be Nakfa 2000 per year.

Since the government announced the directive, classroom attendance, particularly female student attendance, has plummeted with many families hiding their children.  In many cases, the students are the only ones remaining in the household with their siblings killed in the Eritrea-Ethiopia wars of 1998-2000 or serving in the "Warsay-Yekaalo Project", a compulsory national rehabilitation assignment.

The "gffa" is expected to intensify and spread throughout Eritrea until all students either voluntarily report or are nabbed by the security officers.