Two months after the launch of the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) by former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, it has yet to be operationalized. Speaking at the 2024 Edtech Summit, Dr. Belio By Kipsang, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education, attributed the delay to the expansion of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) to encompass all levels of education, which necessitates significant investments in infrastructure, capacity building, and cybersecurity.
“The National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP) 2023-2027, which serves as a blueprint for Kenya’s educational future, specifically identifies risks such as system weaknesses and technical capacity constraints that we must address to ensure the long-term success of these platforms,” Kipsang stated in a speech read on his behalf by Francis Karanja, Head of the National ICT, Innovation and Integration Centre, Ministry of Health.
The EdTech Summit is a forum for individuals, organizations, and companies developing and implementing technology-driven solutions to enhance education. It facilitates connections, collaboration, and insight-sharing among stakeholders, including educators, developers, policymakers, and investors, to explore emerging trends, showcase innovative solutions, and discuss strategies for leveraging technology to improve learning outcomes and transform education systems globally.
To expedite the process, Kipsang emphasized the government’s pursuit of support from all stakeholders—development partners, the private sector, civil society, and educational institutions. “Their collaboration is essential in building a robust ecosystem that promotes data-driven education, enhances digital infrastructure, and equips educators with the necessary skills and resources,” he noted.
Kipsang also highlighted the NESSP’s call for developing public-private partnerships to bridge financing gaps in education. “With a projected budget shortfall, the ministry seeks to collaborate with non-state actors to mobilize resources and ensure a smooth transition to KEMIS,” he added.
Through public-private partnerships and strategic alliances, the aim is to mobilize resources and ensure effective implementation of educational initiatives. “This collective effort will help address challenges while maximizing opportunities for a more inclusive and efficient education system,” Kipsang explained.
He concluded by stating that fully integrating KEMIS into the country’s education framework will ensure that every government decision is data-informed, bringing Kenya closer to a more equitable and prosperous future for its learners.
Unlike NEMIS, which currently supports the digital registration of learners at primary and secondary levels, KEMIS will encompass all learners from pre-primary to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and higher education institutions. This comprehensive inclusion aims to enhance understanding of the entire education ecosystem and ensure that all sectors receive adequate support.
“As we expand these systems, however, we must also address challenges such as system maintenance, security, and capacity constraints. A robust legal and institutional framework is underway to protect the integrity of these systems,” he stated.
The National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP) 2023-2027 outlines a comprehensive vision for providing equitable access to quality education across all levels, from pre-primary to higher education. Central to this vision is the commitment to data-driven decision-making.
With KEMIS ensuring that data is readily available, the government will make sure that all education-related decisions are informed by real-time information, addressing disparities in resource allocation and enhancing the overall quality of education.
Under NESSP, data is not merely a tool for monitoring progress but a critical driver of policy formulation. This is why the plan emphasizes integrating Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) mechanisms across all education programs. By implementing these systems, the government can systematically assess the impact of various initiatives and make necessary adjustments to ensure their effectiveness.
