Government of Uganda, UNICEF and partners roll out system to track schools for better services.

UNICEF introduced the Kobo Toolbox, an open-source data tool, as a solution. This tool enables the identification of crucial information such as latrine facilities, available classrooms, and learners' desks, facilitating better planning and implementation

Abel Asiimwe and Sharif Kiggundu
26 February 2024

In Kamwenge District, tracking school enrolment and toilet facilities has historically posed significant challenges. However, recent collaborative efforts between the Government of Uganda, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners have led to the implementation of an innovative system aimed at improving service delivery in the education sector.

Before the introduction of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), accurate data was unavailable. To address this issue, UNICEF introduced the Kobo Toolbox, an open-source data tool, as a solution. This tool enables the identification of crucial information such as latrine facilities, available classrooms, and learners' desks, facilitating better planning and implementation of educational initiatives.

Moses Katushabe, the Kamwenge District Planner, emphasizes the importance of this system, stating, "Based on this, we can engage relevant authorities to plan and implement more accurately." The Kobo Toolbox has significantly improved data collection and analysis, empowering officials to calculate important metrics like the ratio of learners per facility.

Washroom facility constructed at Nyabitusi Primary School in Kamwenge District informed by the findings from the data collected with support from Water for People.
UNICEF/Uganda/Abel Asiimwe
Washroom facility constructed at Nyabitusi Primary School in Kamwenge District informed by the findings from the data collected with support from Water for People.

To ensure the effective utilization of the Kobo Toolbox, MoES, with support from UNICEF, trained and equipped district education teams with necessary resources such as laptops and tablets. This capacity-building initiative has enabled these teams to collect, analyze, and utilize data effectively for decision-making purposes.

A team of dedicated data collectors, armed with tablets, regularly collects crucial information on various educational indicators. This data includes student enrollment, retention rates, infrastructure, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. The collected data is then discussed during quarterly Education Coordination meetings for better planning and action.

The impact of the Kobo Toolbox is evident in schools like Nyabitusi Primary School (NPS), where data collection revealed pressing issues such as inadequate water and sanitation facilities. This information facilitated collaboration between the district and partner organizations to address these challenges effectively.

UNICEF has been instrumental in supporting districts to ensure the functionality of Education Management Information Systems in several regions of Uganda. This support includes providing districts with tablets and laptops for data management and decision-making processes.

A learner washes her hands with water and soap at Kamwenge Primary school using some of the facilities that were provided by the Government of Uganda with support from UNICEF.
UNICEF/Uganda/Abel Asiimwe
A learner washes her hands with water and soap at Kamwenge Primary school using some of the facilities that were provided by the Government of Uganda with support from UNICEF.

Gershom Turyatunga, Headteacher of NPS, acknowledges the positive impact of the Kobo Toolbox, stating, "Learners have been able to form health clubs and encouraged to enroll, stay in school, and complete the learning cycle, with teachers fully participating in the provision of quality education."

Esseri Nyirangirimana, a Kobo Toolbox data collector, highlights the user-friendly nature of the tool compared to paper questionnaires, making data collection more efficient and accessible across different educational institutions.

Tushabomwe Crescent, Senior Education Officer of Kamwenge district, attests to the tool's effectiveness in improving the quality of education, including increasing school enrolment, retention, and completion rates, as well as improving school infrastructure.

As a result of these efforts, Kamwenge District achieved remarkable results in the 2022 National Performance Assessment, securing the second position in the education category and ranking third overall, in the country. Moses Katushabe, the Kamwenge District Planner, attributes this success to the invaluable data collected through the Kobo Toolbox, emphasizing its role in providing evidence during assessments and decision-making processes.