A Framework for Implementing an Education Management Information System in Tanzanian Secondary Schools to Improve Delivery of Quality Education and Students’ Academic Achievement

Abstract

Globally, access to quality education is being recognized by educational scholars as a significant process of poverty eradication. In developing countries including Tanzania, access to quality education is a national goal supposed to be achieved by Tanzania Development Vision 2025. However, the practice is being hindered by the use of manual systems in administering academic activities in secondary schools. The manual systems lead to loss of data integrity, work productivity of teachers, inefficiency and ineffective collection, and dissemination of educational information required to support education policymakers in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of quality educational activities. This study used structured interviews and questionnaires to collect data from educational stakeholders of the Arusha region to investigate a cost-effective digital solution required to improve the delivery of quality education for sustainable development. After data analysis, findings revealed that Tanzanian secondary schools required to use a centralized education management information system in administering schools’ academic activities. The study concluded by formulating a cost-effective digital framework that can enhance the accurate and timely collection and dissemination of quality educational information for supporting planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the academic activities. Due to the tremendous change of technology, this study recommended all schools to adapt to the use of digital tools rather than manual systems in administering schools’ academic activities.