By Abdou Mbye
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) in partnership with Knowledge Innovation Experience (KIX) Africa 19 HUB, the African Union (AU), UNESCO-IICBA, Global Project in Education (GPE), UNICEF, and RDIC-CRDI (Canada) last week convened a two-day National Policy Dialogue on Educational Management Information System (EMIS) at the Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau.
The conference was meant to gauge the ministry’s data management system, focusing on assessing strengths and gaps, sharing experiences and prioritising actions, and creating a clear roadmap to enhance educational planning.
In her opening remarks, the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), Claudiana A. Cole, said the data collected and managed by her ministry serves as the lifeblood of the sector, shaping policies and programmes.
“The data we collect and the systems we employ to manage it are the lifeblood of our education sector. They inform our policies, shape our programmes, and ultimately determine the direction for our various ministries and institutions and the future of our nation. The stakes are high, and our responsibilities are paramount,” Minister Cole dilated.
Mr. Ebrima Sisawo, Permanent Secretary at the Basic and Secondary Education Ministry, posited that linking data from the Ministry of Health, Basic and Higher Education would help in human capital development and serve as a tool for managers to make informed decisions.
“This is an opportunity for us to be enlightened on how to improve on data management as a sector. We also collaborate with partners to improve on the current data system of the ministry. It is clear that MoBSE is on the lead when it comes to data management system and we want to maintain the momentum... Our objective is not only to be a centre of excellence in the country but in the sub-region,” PS Sisawo reiterated.
The AU representative, Mr Lukman OlawaleJaji, assured of AU’s commitment to supporting MoBSE on data management. “We are here to support on how you collect and make your education statistics. Data is important but more importantly the process for which that data is gathered and that is why we are to unearth your different data production pathways”.
The AU Consultant, Mr Mulyalya Carthbert from Beacon Consult Uganda Firm, outlined his role in facilitating the national dialogue to strengthen data systems at national level, supporting educational progress.
“We are to look at the details of data collections, processing, analysis, storage, and data dissemination and other areas. We are also looking at data utilisation, issues of accuracy, access to data, and availability and sharing of data so that those who are supposed to make decisions gather the right data. The other areas we are looking is the technology to support EMIS and the collaboration with partners to ensure that EMIS is strengthened. The outcome of this dialogue will provide guidance and way forward into areas where support is needed in EMIS in The Gambia,” Mr. Carthbert elucidated.
Mr Gibril Jarjue, Director of Planning and Information at the Ministry of Health (MoH) expressed good impressions about the collaboration between the technicians and his directorate. “Currently, we are working on a system to follow the child for one thousand days and that is around three years. That is the time Education Ministry will also need the child for nursery education. We are currently piloting that system at Bundung Maternal Hospital. We want to follow the mother from pregnancy and the child for one thousand days to see how the child is progressing and this will help the education sector to know all the information about the child. You cannot advance health without education; the more educated women are, the more they are unlikely to have pregnant related complications,” Director Jarju opined.