Enhancing Educational Outcomes in Sokoto, Nigeria through the Unified School Monitoring System: Data-Driven Approach for Sustained Early Grade Reading Gains

• In Event: Educational Leadership and Outcomes

Proposal

In the digital era, data-driven strategies are transforming educational systems worldwide. However, Sokoto State encounters substantial challenges, including fragmented data management, insufficient monitoring of lesson delivery, and a lack of skilled data and information management professionals. These challenges impede the effective use of data to improve educational outcomes.

This proposal presents the Sokoto Unified School Monitoring System (SKUMONITOR), a comprehensive platform designed to offer real-time insights into classroom and school activities using evidence-based data. SKUMONITOR aims to enhance education administration, build stakeholder capacity, optimize instructional practices, and boost learning outcomes. The system addresses key factors affecting educational performance, such as infrastructure, parental involvement, teacher qualifications, and support systems.

To ensure the system's long-term effectiveness, Education Management Information System (EMIS) personnel have received comprehensive training in Looker Studio. This enables them not only to manage and update existing dashboards but also to develop new metrics and visualizations as needed. This training equips local staff to continuously enhance and adapt SKUMONITOR, ensuring the platform remains sustainable and resilient over time.

By providing consistent, data-driven monitoring and performance metrics, SKUMONITOR enhances equity, inclusion, and well-being, contributing to sustained early grade reading (EGR) gains. Several barriers, such as inadequate teacher training, insufficient teaching materials, and poor classroom environments, currently impede EGR outcomes. SKUMONITOR tackles these challenges by delivering timely, accurate, and actionable data to education administrators, enabling informed decision-making and targeted interventions. For example, classroom observation data from SKUMONITOR revealed that teachers in a specific local government area (LGA) were struggling with pupil engagement. In response, the Sokoto State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) tailored their teacher training program to address this issue. While all teachers received training in Early Grade Reading (EGR), those in the identified LGA received additional, focused training specifically on improving pupil engagement. This demonstrates how SKUMONITOR enables targeted interventions based on real-time data, leading to more effective and impactful improvements in teaching practices.

Quarterly review meetings are planned to analyze data from SKUMONITOR, facilitating engagement with education administrators to gain insights into school operations. These meetings ensure that the system’s data is actively used to inform ongoing interventions and adjustments. Furthermore, an annual State performance review meeting will be held to evaluate the progress of the Mid-Term Basic Education Strategic Plan 2023-2025, utilizing data from SKUMONITOR to assess achievements and identify areas for further improvement.
Supported by the USAID LEARN to Read activity, SKUMONITOR includes key modules such as:
1. School Performance Report Card (SPRC): Assesses school performance against established standards, guiding targeted support and resource allocation.
2. Coaching and Mentoring: Provides continuous professional development for teachers, enhancing instructional practices.
3. School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) Monitoring: Promotes community involvement in school management, fostering accountability and local engagement

SKUMONITOR has been instrumental in identifying gaps in Early Grade Reading (EGR) lesson delivery and providing evidence-based data for the Mid-Term Basic Education Strategic Plan 2023-2025. This proposal highlights SKUMONITOR's potential to significantly enhance educational outcomes and technical assistance efforts. By promoting a culture of continuous improvement and accountability, SKUMONITOR ensures that all learners have the opportunity to succeed, leading to sustained progress in EGR and other key educational areas.

Author

• Mahmuda Galadima, Sokoto Universal Basic Education Board