Review of the strengthening institutional education information system in emergencies initiative

With education systems worldwide under growing threats from conflict, natural disasters, and pandemics, it’s critical to understand the complex and changing needs of learners, teachers, educational institutions, and communities to respond to them effectively and in a sustainable manner. As the coordinating agency of the SDG4 and as part of the commitments made in the Framework for Action, UNESCO is invested in building the resilience of education systems and ensuring quality and safe education for all.

One essential part of supporting system-wide capacities to be more responsive, is enhancing the way information is generated and used to drive decision-making within Ministries of Education (MoE) as well as in collaboration with humanitarian and development partners.

As outlined during the 2019 Education in Emergencies Data Summit, the lack of data considered accurate, reliable, and timely by actors channeling education resources and efforts, poses a significant challenge. It also leads to the fragmentation of the data landscape and hinders collaboration that should leverage stakeholder’s complementarities.

In this context, since 2021, in partnership with NORCAP and supported by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), UNESCO is implementing activities in Ethiopia, South Sudan and at the global level, with the aim of strengthening institutional information systems for education in emergencies and resilience to crises.