How good is the Ethiopian Public High School curriculum?

I always had it that one of the major reasons students coming out Ethiopia's public high schools could not compete in academics with students from other countries, was because the Ethiopian curriculm was so antiquated. It did not prepare them for college and success in life. After a good discussion today with an Ethiopian who authored several high school textbooks in his home country, and is currently teaching in a Seattle high school, I learned that that is not the case at all. The learning objectives for core subjects in Ethiopian highschools are similar to the those found in any western public high school. Granted, the Ethiopian curriculum doesn't require nor expect students to use the latest technology available, but it's content is still comparable, even if it is not the best. It is the lack of qualified teachers and supply of adequate textbooks that has affected the quality of high school education, according to this teacher.
What is your opinion or better yet your experience?