This community innovation has been accepted at the 2025 DHIS2 Annual Conference
Enhancing Education Data in West Nile with DHIS2
Abstract: Education systems in West Nile (Arua and Yumbe Districts), Uganda, faced significant challenges in managing education data. The education departments struggled with fragmented data collection, inconsistent reporting, and limited analytical capabilities, which hindered effective decision-making and resource allocation. The flexibility and scalability of DHIS2, initially designed for health systems, have facilitated its adaptation to education settings. This transition offers innovative solutions for managing education data effectively. Before switching to DHIS2, schools supported by the Aga Khan Foundation faced significant challenges using Kobo Collect for data management. Kobo Collect, while useful for basic data collection, lacked the advanced features and scalability required for comprehensive education data management. Schools struggled with data fragmentation, limited analytical capabilities, resource allocation issues, and technical and training barriers. The implementation of DHIS2 for education involved collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, HISPs Uganda, international development partners, and local stakeholders, facilitated by the Aga Khan Foundation. Key steps included conducting needs assessments to identify critical data gaps, designing and customizing DHIS2 modules to capture education-specific data, training education administrators, school managers, and policymakers on data collection and analysis using DHIS2, and establishing feedback loops to ensure data utilization in decision-making processes. DHIS2 enabled the digitization of education data collection, reducing reliance on paper-based systems and minimizing reporting errors. Schools and districts now report data in real-time using mobile devices, allowing for timely analysis and response. Using DHIS2 dashboards, education authorities can identify schools with resource shortages, leading to more equitable distribution of resources. The system supports monitoring key education indicators, providing stakeholders with clear insights into trends and disparities, informing targeted interventions.
Primary Author: IBRAHIM NJUKI
Keywords:
Keywords: Education Data Management, West Nile, Arua District, Yumbe District, Challenges, DHIS2, Kobo Collect, Aga Khan Foundation, Data Collection, Resource Allocation, Real-Time Reporting, Dashboards, Monitoring and Evaluation, Accountability, Transparency, Integration, Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, Customization, Data Quality, Sustainability, Digital Divide, Sustainable Development Goal 4
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