Closing the Data Gap: How ESMIS Can Revolutionize Education in Tanzania
A New Era for Education Data in Tanzania Tanzania has long relied on the Basic Education Statistics in Tanzania (BEST) reports as its primary source of education data. These reports, produced by the President’s Office–Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), have focused mainly on lower levels of education, leaving higher education institutions, particularly private universities and colleges, underrepresented. This gap in data collection has raised concerns about the accuracy and comprehensiveness of national education planning. In a significant step forward, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has introduced a new system called the Education Sector Management Information System (ESMIS). Designed to address these shortcomings, ESMIS aims to collect, analyze, and manage data from all educational institutions, including both public and private schools, colleges, and universities. Education Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda emphasized the importance of this initi...