Insights from the KIX-SEEDS Annual General Meeting: How Can Data Improve Learning Outcomes?

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)-led GPE KIX-funded project, known internally as KIX-SEEDS (Strengthening and Enhancing Education Data Systems), is developing and scaling digital solutions for the education sector while building the capacity of local education actors. The project recognizes and addresses the contextual differences found in selected sub-national administrative units across Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Senegal.

KIX-SEEDS aims to enhance evidence-informed decision-making and planning at every level of governance by strengthening the collection of more granular data and analysis at the sub-national level. This comprehensive approach illuminates critical gaps, including teacher shortages, inadequate school infrastructure, and other indicators that capture gender equity and inclusion (GEI). Through the integration of GEI considerations at every level of the education data value chain, the project generates actionable insights that guide decision-making across multiple levels—from individual school planning to broader improvements in learner outcomes.

Central to this initiative is capacity building for education planners, data teams, teachers, and other key stakeholders at the subnational level. The project equips these vital actors with the skills necessary to effectively generate, analyze, and utilize data for informed decision-making, ultimately strengthening the foundation for educational advancement across the participating regions.

The project, launched in January 2024, is implemented through country-level implementing partners: the Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Population (ISSP) in Burkina Faso, Health Information Systems Program (HISP) in Uganda and Ecole Supérieure d’Economie Appliquée (ESEA) in Senegal, and aims to achieve the following outcomes: 

• Relevant education sector data that responds to the actual needs of local communities.
• Enhanced education data systems with child-level and school-level data.
• Holistic school or sub-national report cards that inform cross-country learning and sharing.
• Enhanced education data systems with gender, equality, equity, and inclusion indicators.

After one and a half years of implementation, APHRC, in collaboration with the local implementing partner in Burkina Faso, ISSP, convened a three-day annual general meeting from June 2nd to 5th, 2025, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  The meeting aimed to reflect on lessons learned after one year of implementation and engage with national and regional stakeholders on integrating promising data systems into national frameworks.

Prof. Andre-Pascal Kengne (Director of Research, APHRC); Prof. Abdramane Soura (ISSP); Seni Oedraogo (GPE Focal person, Ministry of Education, Burkina Faso); Zangbewennin Kyelem (KIX Focal Person, Ministry of Education, Burkina Faso); Prof. Nicolas Meda (Director of ISSP).

The meeting, which brought together approximately 15 officials from the Burkina Faso Ministry of Health, was led by the GPE Focal Person for Burkina Faso and his counterpart from GPE KIX. Other attendees included education stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, with representatives from five sub-Saharan African countries: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, and Togo.

“We have shown to the word that research and education, above all, are pillars of development.” 

– Seni Ouedraogo, Representative Ministry of Education and GPE Focal Person, Burkina Faso 

The meeting highlighted significant progress in strengthening education data systems while acknowledging ongoing challenges in ensuring data translates into meaningful classroom change. Discussions explored how to leverage data more effectively to improve learning outcomes and scale the impact of innovative data systems solutions, such as those developed and piloted by the KIX-SEEDS project.

Given the project's focus on scaling innovation impact, the Brookings Institution team, coordinators of the Research on Scaling Impact of Innovations in Education (ROSIE), delivered an insightful presentation on best practices for scaling innovation impact.

Key highlights from the Annual General Meeting

1.        Strengthening Data Infrastructure & Flow

A central theme emphasized the importance of building robust, end-to-end data systems. Participants stressed that reliable and timely data collection must begin at the school level, where teachers and headteachers play a critical role in capturing accurate information about student attendance, performance, and needs. This data must flow seamlessly through district levels to national education management information systems, where it can inform planning, budgeting, and policy decisions. Well-integrated and interoperable data systems help countries avoid fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiencies that can undermine the value of collected information.

2.       Improving School-level Capacity & Use

The meeting emphasized that data collection alone is insufficient. Teachers, school leaders, and local education officers require the ability to interpret data and utilise it to inform their daily teaching and school management. In some pilot districts, equipping schools with dashboards that track student progress has enabled teachers to identify struggling learners earlier and adjust their instruction to meet their individual needs more effectively. The meeting highlighted examples where timely and relevant feedback loops between schools and education offices resulted in more targeted interventions, such as additional tutoring for at-risk students or engaging parents to support home learning.

3.      Informing Policy & Resource Allocation

At the policy level, the meeting demonstrated how countries are beginning to use disaggregated data to identify and address inequities, directing resources where they are most needed. Regional education authorities shared how evidence from local data has guided decisions to allocate more teachers to overcrowded schools, distribute learning materials to underserved communities, or deploy mobile learning units to reach remote areas. By visualizing disparities between urban and rural schools or differences in performance between boys and girls, policymakers are better positioned to design interventions that address these gaps and promote more equitable learning outcomes.

4.      Fostering Collaboration & Data Culture

Another insight that resonated strongly throughout the meeting was the importance of cultivating a culture of data use and collaboration. Participants stressed that data should not be confined to technical reports or annual reviews but should form the basis of regular dialogue among stakeholders. The Annual General Meeting itself provided an example of this, bringing together government officials, development partners, civil society, and researchers to jointly discuss how to strengthen the links between data, decision-making, and action. Cross-country exchanges allowed participants to share practical innovations such as mobile-based data collection tools and community scorecards, demonstrating how regional learning networks can accelerate the adoption of promising practices. 

Attendees with Dr. Damazo Kadengye (KIX-SEEDS Project Lead and Head, Data Synergy and Evaluations Unit, APHRC), Prof. Nicolas Meda (Director of ISSP), Seni Oedraogo (GPE Focal person, Ministry of Education, Burkina Faso), Prof. Andre-Pascal Kengne (Director of Research, APHRC), Zangbewennin Kyelem (KIX Focal Person, Ministry of Education, Burkina Faso) and (Eric Munyambabazi, Project Coordination Lead at HISP Uganda)

Addressing Challenges & Looking Ahead

Many countries face digital infrastructure gaps that limit schools' ability to collect, transmit, and access data, especially in rural or low-resource contexts. Sustainability emerged as another concern, with participants agreeing that data systems and platforms should be embedded within national policies and budgets to ensure ongoing maintenance and updates, rather than relying solely on external funding. 

Looking ahead, several priorities were identified to strengthen the impact of data in education systems. Expanding training for teachers and school managers on how to read and act on data will be essential. Integrating data platforms with national education management systems can ensure consistency and reduce duplication of effort. There was also interest in piloting innovative accountability mechanisms that use data to promote transparency and community engagement in monitoring school performance.

Conclusion

The KIX-SEEDS Annual General Meeting provided clear evidence that data can be a powerful driver of improved learning outcomes when used effectively. By investing in strong data systems, building the capacity of those who use them, and fostering a culture of collaboration and trust around data sharing, education stakeholders can help ensure that every learner has the support they need to thrive. The experiences shared at the meeting serve as a reminder that data is not an end in itself, but a tool that, when used well, can help translate commitment and resources into tangible, measurable improvements for students across the region.