Yesterday, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) briefed the Standing Committee on how it collects and uses data through its Central Education Management Information System (CEMIS) and EduInfoSearch (EIS) systems.

The collection and utilisation of data is paramount to the functioning of the Department, as it informs both budget allocations and the way in which its operations are conducted. Owing to this, I will be submitting parliamentary questions to ascertain whether previous discrepancies from the national data systems have resulted in decreases in equitable share allocations to the WCED.

CEMIS is a learning tracking and school management system which is used in the province, and allows for real-time transacting – something which the national standalone system is unable to do. As such, schools are able to access the registering and transferring of learners through this solution. In conjunction with CEMIS, the WCED makes use of EIS to allow for business intelligence reporting from data that is collected. Therefore, readily available reports allow for proper oversight and transparency to take place.

Owing to these datasets being able to be processed into usable information almost instantaneously, the WCED has chosen to use its own solutions instead of joining the national equivalents.

MPP Deidré Baartman: “Through these data systems, the WCED is also able to monitor the mental health of learners and teachers which furthers inclusive and quality education in the Western Cape. In a world where information is becoming more accessible and abundant, the provincial government has proven itself to be an innovator in finding new ways to keep up with digitalisation.

The DA in the Western Cape welcomes these developments and looks forward to more progress being made in this regard.”

 

Issued by Deidré Baartman, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education