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Strengthening Education Sector Capacities for Resilient Education Management Information Systems in Africa: Experiences from Five KIX Africa 19 Hub Countries

Wed, March 26, 11:15am to 12:30pm, Palmer House, Floor: 7th Floor, Dearborn 1

Group Submission Type: Formal Panel Session

Proposal

1. Introduction
In the recent past, education management information systems (EMIS) have become a critical component of the international educational agenda given the demands of the sustainable development goals particularly SDG4 – aiming to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. Data is indispensable to fulfilling the objectives set forth by SDG 4. Educational data not only allows countries to monitor their progress towards SDG 4, but also enables them to identify the gaps in their respective education systems and subsequently determine the policies, reforms, and programmes needed to bridge those gaps.
Many countries in Africa are becoming innovate in their Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) to better support education management, planning, monitoring, and evaluation. Several tools, interventions, practices and strategies have been developed. This session is intended to create an understanding of EMIS as the ensemble of operational processes, increasingly supported by digital technology, that enable the collection, aggregation, analysis, and use of data and information in education, including for management and administration, planning, policy formulation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E).
The KIX Africa 19 Hub whose Secretariat is hosted at UNESCO IICBA, in collaboration with various UNICEF ESARO and AUC – IPED; and Ministries of Education, intend to hold this session to create a space for education sector personnel experts to deliberate on the various strategies that are being used to strengthen education sector capacities and systems for resilient education management information systems in Africa. The session will also explore the importance of investing on teachers for quality education through the sharing of practices and innovations focused on the planning and streamlining of information on teachers through the establishment of teacher management information system (TMIS), harmonization of teacher training programmes and continuous professional development delivered through the use of ICTs.

2. Objectives of the Panel Session
The panel will therefore examine: i) How selected African countries are addressing the key challenges, weaknesses and gaps in implementing resilient education management information systems (EMIS) in Africa; ii) how promising practices, innovative technological solutions and tools across countries are enhancing EMIS capabilities, such as data analytics, cloud computing, and mobile technologies for strategic education management and administration, planning, policy formulation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E), iii) how the teacher management information systems are used to enhance continuous profession development among teachers and iv) how evidence is being used for advocacy, to improve the quality of education and to build resilience and sustainable education systems in Africa right from ECCE levels to higher education amidst several crises, such as pandemics or natural disasters, among others.

3. Structure of the panel
The session will have six (6) papers from four KIX Africa 19 countries (Lesotho, Zambia, Uganda and the Gambia), the KIX Africa19 Secretariat host - UNESCO IICBA and one Regional Technical Advisory Agency to the KIX Africa 19 Hub on ECCE - African Early Childhood Network (AfECN) based in Kenya. Each panellist will utilise up to 10 minutes of presentation, followed by 5 minutes of quick reflections after each presentation and thereafter a plenary discussion that will focus on the main take away messages implementable in various contexts. The panel with therefore will take a one hour and 30 minutes.
The first presentation will focus on presenting use of the AUC Regional norms and standards for EMIS to improve EMIS systems in Lesotho. The second presentation with focus on the realities of national EMIS harmonization, capacity sustainability and fostering of ownership in The Gambia. The third presentation with focus on strengthening National Teacher Management Information Systems and online CPDs for teachers in Zambia. While the fourth presentation will focus on strengthening national Teacher Management Information Systems in Uganda. The fifth will focus on fostering cross-sectoral synergies and experiential learning through communities of practices (CoPs) and EMIS peer reviews: experiences from the KIX Africa 19 Hub and the last one will focus on the use of evidence and data-driven transformation to improve the quality of ECCE programs in Africa.

4. Perspectives
Effective Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) are essential for collecting, processing, and utilizing data to inform policy and decision-making in the education sector. Without reliable data, it is challenging to address educational inequities, plan for resource allocation, and measure progress toward educational goals. Many African countries face significant challenges in developing robust EMIS due to limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of trained personnel. These challenges hinder the ability to respond effectively to educational needs and emergencies. The situation has worsened with the advent of the covid19 pandemic that led to a lot of disruptions in maintaining educational continuity and quality. The rapid advancement of technology however presents opportunities to enhance EMIS through innovations such as cloud computing, mobile data collection, and advanced analytics. Sharing knowledge about these technologies can help countries leverage them effectively.

5. Importance to CIES
This panel session will foster the exchange of best practices, resources, and technical expertise and serve as a platform for regional cooperation, allowing countries to learn from each other’s experiences and successes. While strengthening EMIS requires alignment with national and regional education policies and strategies. discussing policy frameworks and strategic planning in such a forum like CIES can help in advocacy and experiential learning to ensure that EMIS initiatives are well-integrated and supported by governments. Lastly it is hoped that the session can produce actionable recommendations that stakeholders can implement, fostering tangible improvements in EMIS and, consequently, in the education systems of African countries.

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