As part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of School Children (NCAOOSCE), Hon. Sha'aban Sharada, has introduced Education Management System (EMS) that will revolutionise the administration and delivery of education in Almajiri schools.
This system is designed to be a holistic tool for managing the complex web of interactions among schools, scholars, facilitators, students and vendors.
The commission is targeting 20 million out-of school children through the use of the newly created EMS, a digital platform built in a dynamic manner to secure and optimise educational processes, enhance communication and streamline resource management, thereby elevating the quality of education and support provided to the children.
The EMS is segmented into different components which includes; Registration and Profile Management. Under this, there is Comprehensive Profile Management which contains detailed profiles for schools, scholars, facilitators, students and vendors, including personal information, qualifications, affiliations and performance history.
Scholar and Student Registration deals with advanced registration modules with biometric capabilities to ensure accurate identification and record-keeping.
Facilitator Engagement is another part of a component tools meant for tracking facilitator activities, assignments and impact on student learning.
Another segment is Academic Progress Tracking, which showcases performance and progress tracking that coordinates the real-time monitoring of academic and operational performance for continuous improvement.
Statistical analysis provides statistical insights on student-performance, class averages and overall progress. This data will be valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of different schools and implementing targeted interventions.
Another key features on the platform is Geolocation and Mapping, it is a school location tracking, with integration of GPS technology for mapping school locations and optimising resource distribution.
Food Supply Management: It deals with food supply chain coordination with efficient management of food logistics, from vendor registration to delivery tracking and quality assessment.
Food Quality and Safety Monitoring: It implements a rating system to ensure food quality and hygiene standards are maintained by the vendors. Students and proprietors can provide feedback on the food they received.
The digital platform also contains Reports and Analytics with a screen dashboard displaying the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at the office of the Executive Secretary or other strategic locations.
This is an innovative approach to ensure real time visibility and awareness of the Education Management System's Performance. This setup allows key decision makers and stakeholders to have instant access to critical data, fostering a culture of transparency and informed decision-making.
The last of the key features of EMS is the Multi-channel Communication which utilises USSD, SMS, and TTS via VOIP to facilitate consistent and inclusive communication with all stakeholders.
The Commission however revealed that the development and deployment of the EMS will be conducted in stages, prioritising core functionalities such as profile management and communication systems. The approach it says will emphasise security, user experience, and adaptability to local needs.
The EMS will also represent a significant leap forward in managing the educational and logistical aspects of Almajiri schools. By providing a centralised platform for managing profiles and operations, the system aims to enhance educational outcomes, improve resource allocation, and foster a more cohesive educational community.
To this end, with the implementation of EMS, the commission is setting a new standard in educational management. This system promises to bring efficiency, transparency, and improved educational experiences to the forefront of Almajiri education, serving as a beacon for similar initiatives globally.
Digital Transformation
As part of our renewed dedication to transparency, efficiency, and adherence to global principles of child education and welfare, the Commission has outlined a number of key strategic actions that we will undertake. These actions are designed to better support the education and well-being of out-of-school children in Nigeria and to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed.
Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Management System: To ensure precision in our data management, we are developing a state-of-the-art, web-based, and mobile app-driven system. This system will serve as a comprehensive database, capturing accurate information on Tsangayas, Islamiyyahs, Out 0f School Children, Almajiri and their Alarammas, and geo-location mapping. It will empower us with data-driven insights, statistical analyses, and the ability to monitor and evaluate so as to have effective feedback.
The key Functionalities of the Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Management System, include
Scholar Registration: Allow registration of scholar registration, schools and provide essential details like picture, name, contact information, address, and the number of students they accommodate
Student Registration: Capture student/Almajiri information, including name, age, guardian details and any specific requirements. Each student will be assigned a unique identifier for easy tracking.
NIN Issuance: Direct provision of National Identification Numbers (NIN) to children without one at the point of enrollment through our privileged access as National Tier 1 License holders with NIMC.
Almajiri Wallet/ ATM Card ID: Issuance of (Domestic Card powered by CBN) ATM card to serve as both identification and a financial tool for the children, allowing seamless channelling of welfare programmes.
In order to track the vendors and suppliers mandated for the feeding programme of some of our integrated learning centres for Almajiri and out-of-school children, the system also offers Food Suppliers/Vendors Registration: this enables the suppliers and vendors to register and provide information about the delivery schedules, and food quantity they can supply, and to also have effective monitoring of the food meant for the children.
Student Performance Records: Enable teachers and proprietors to record and track individual student performance, including academic achievements and areas that require improvement.
Statistical Analysis: Provide statistical insights on student performance, class averages, and overall progress. This data will be valuable for evaluating the effectiveness of different schools and implementing targeted interventions
School Location Tracking: Utilise GPS technology to capture the geographical location of each registered Almajiri school. This feature will facilitate easier identification and mapping of schools, helping stakeholders understand the distribution of schools in various areas.
Food Demand Forecasting: Based on student registrations and attendance data, the application can predict the daily or weekly food requirements for each Almajiri school. This will help food suppliers and vendors plan their supplies more efficiently.
Food Quality & Safety Monitoring: Implement a rating system to ensure food quality and hygiene standards are maintained by the vendors. Students and proprietors can provide feedback on the food they receive.
Dashboard & Reports: Provide a user-friendly dashboard with graphical representations of key performance indicators, food supply statistics, and academic progress.
Other key features of Our System includes: User-Friendly Enrollment Module: Streamlined and intuitive process for capturing essential information and biometrics of Almajiri students and out-of-school children.
Real-Time Verification and Validation: Implementation of real-time biometric verification to ensure data accuracy and prevent duplicate records.
Enhanced Data Analytics and Reporting: Provision of insightful and customisable reports and dashboards for evidence-based decision-making by the Commission.
Robust Tracking and Monitoring: Real-time tracking for continuous monitoring of students' educational progress, attendance, and well-being.
Resource Allocation and Targeting: Utilieation of smart algorithms for efficient allocation of funds, programmes, and initiatives, ensuring they are directed where most needed.
Offline Functionality: Seamless offline data collection with syncing capabilities once an internet connection is established.
High-Level Data Security and Privacy: Assurance of rigorous security measures and compliance with data protection regulations to safeguard sensitive information.
Logo Design: We have meticulously crafted a distinctive logo that, at first glance, resonates with the essence of Nigeria while projecting the authority of a government entity. This logo is an artful representation of our core mission: Almajiri and out-of-school children.
Website Development: In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, we are in the process of creating an official website that will serve as a window into the commission's activities. On this platform, you will find comprehensive information about our initiatives, operations mission, vision and more.
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