Investing in public administration data systems to support decision-making

AsUNESCO points out, learning outcomes do not correspond to educational expansion, as many countries lack systematic data on who is learning and who is not. UNESCO points out that government data can be used to identify underserved or low-performing learners, enabling practical solutions to be developed: "Data can be used to hold the system accountable for the use of resources by showing whether increased public investment in education has led to measurable gains in student outcomes."

Lack of investment in data collection systems can lead to poor monitoring of education, resulting in inadequate interventions to improve learning outcomes. Using data to track student progress helps identify learning gaps and assess the effectiveness of digital tools, enabling educators and policymakers to make informed decisions on technology adoption, personalized learning and funding allocation.

To this end, the April edition of EdTech Mondays Africa will examine recommendation #4 of the EdTech 2024 conference - "Make data-driven decisions by investing in government systems and capabilities for timely collection, analysis and decision-making".

How can these investment decisions promote accountability and provide clear, measurable performance indicators? How can we build trust between stakeholders, including students, parents and educators? How can investment in government data systems reveal disparities in educational access and outcomes?

This approach not only improves the quality of education, but also ensures that EdTech solutions effectively meet the needs of students, teachers and institutions in a timely and responsive manner. Ultimately, it leads to more transparent, efficient and accountable governance in education.