Real need for unified database

 THERE is a real demand for all provinces to have a unified, an effective and a more sustainable electronic database and information management system. 

The Department of Education and its provincial education divisions have realised all issues surrounding poor database and information management systems in all provinces. 

The issues of ghost teachers names on education payroll system, ghost schools names, lack of teachers discipline records, ghost enrolment figures reported year after year, ineffective management of teachers’ leave fares, delay of teachers appointments, poor control and monitoring of schools’ financial (TFF) expenditures and a total lack of detail teachers and schools data information are still remain.  

All these issues are resulting in a wastage of Government funds and resources which is a threat to the Department. 

There is an ineffective database and information management system by every province therefore reporting turns out to be on ad hoc basis, unrealistic and inconsistent. 

Due to ongoing education policy changes with the increasing population demand, provinces become key agents for all implementations which will then reflect all government policies in education. 

All provinces must shift from old manual system to modern electronic system for effective operation and management. 

The provinces and the Education Department have been talking about database for far too long but nothing has been put in place to solve all those issues once and for all.

The provincial education officers, teachers, stakeholders, parents and the general public are demanding an immediate action from both the Education Department and the Teaching Services Commission to come together to find an effective database solutions which can solve all issues once and for all provinces.

Former officer

Chimbu