MOE Data Analytics Training Report: Accelerated Quality Education for Liberian Children

The project aims to re-enter formal schooling in a shorter amount of time, giving them a boost to pursue further education or training. Under Result 1, the Accelerated Quality Education for Liberian Children supported the Ministry of Education (MOE) to adopt national Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) Policies, standards, strategies, and processes. The MOE, in collaboration with the USAID-AQE Project, has embarked on a transition and sustainability approach to allow the Ministry to run ALP classes alongside conventional lower basic classes during regular school time. The MOE will also take full responsibility for the continuous monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on both conventional and ALP schools. MOE M&E Officers at the county level work along with and support the County Education System to monitor, evaluate, and make evidence-based decisions at the county level. The USAID-AQE M&E Team conducted the AQE/MOE Data Analytics training from January 19 – 21, 2021, in Monrovia, at the Cape Hotel in Mamba Point. The training included MOE central level staff from the Division of Planning, Research & Development Division (M&E), as well as from the Alternative Education Division and the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Department. The training also included M&E Officers from across the six counties where USAID-AQE implements its activity. Cumulatively, 28 persons attended the training. The training was designed to help build the capacity of the MOE, specifically the Division of Planning Research and Development, and EMIS, as well as that of M&E Officers at the county level. The objectives of the training were to enable participants to develop data collection mechanisms on Kobo toolbox, download and export data from Kobo toolbox, link datasets on Kobo to Power BI, and analyze and visualize data with Power BI. The outcomes of the training included participants creating their individual KoBo accounts, developing sample databases in Kobo, and inputting basic data, as well as creating their own Power BI accounts and learning the various interface in Power BI desktop and Power BI Services. The training was hands-on, using a mix of experiential and participatory learning approaches, which enabled participants to enhance their knowledge through practice and simulation. The training emphasized data analysis and how to link data collected in Kobo with Power BI dashboards for effective visualization and interpretation and evidence-based decision-making. The training was a key step in meeting the AQE intermediate result 1: ALP Regulatory Framework Institutionalize, and it built on previous training in KoBo Toolbox that AQE offered to 60 education officers.