Ghana is set to transform the way education data is collected and used with the launch of a pilot project aimed at creating a modern, integrated system for tracking learners across the country.
The Pilot Register-Based Education Statistics Project, led by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the National Identification Authority (NIA), seeks to replace costly and infrequent surveys with a continuous, reliable system based on secure administrative records.
The initiative was discussed during a courtesy and working visit by Government Statistician Alhassan Iddrisu and a GSS delegation to the Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu.
According to the Government Statistician, the project is designed to provide timely and accurate education statistics that will enable government to make better-informed decisions.
“Our vision is to build a data system that allows Ghana to answer critical education questions in real time,” Mr. Iddrisu said.
He explained that the system would help government know who is learning, where learners are located, what programmes they are studying, and the districts and regions in which they are enrolled.
Once fully implemented, the platform is expected to track learners from the time they enter school through higher education and eventually into employment, providing a complete picture of the learner journey.
The data-driven approach is expected to strengthen education planning by helping authorities identify children at risk of dropping out, deploy teachers more efficiently, plan school infrastructure, distribute resources fairly and ensure that no learner is left behind.
Beyond education, the project forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Ghana’s national data ecosystem. If the pilot proves successful, the register-based model could be expanded to sectors such as health, labour and social protection to improve national planning and service delivery.
Mr. Iddrisu stressed that strong collaboration among key institutions would be essential to the project’s success. He expressed appreciation to Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu for agreeing to chair the Project Steering Committee.
“The minister’s decision provides the high-level leadership needed to drive the initiative and signals government’s commitment to data-driven decision-making in the education sector,” he noted.
He also commended the National Identification Authority for its partnership, describing the institution’s role as critical in building reliable administrative records that support an integrated national data system.
Addressing concerns about privacy, Mr. Iddrisu assured the public that protecting personal information remains a top priority.
“Only the minimum data required for statistical purposes will be used,” he said, adding that the project will fully comply with the Statistical Service Act and the Data Protection Act.
He further assured Ghanaians that individual records would remain confidential and would never be published or disclosed.
The Ghana Statistical Service believes the initiative will help policymakers move beyond delayed surveys and fragmented records by providing regularly updated data to monitor enrolment trends, learner progression and resource needs across the country.
Officials say the improved system will also make it easier to identify underserved communities and learners who fall through the cracks, allowing government to intervene earlier and allocate resources more effectively.
The pilot marks a significant step towards a more evidence-based education system, with better data expected to improve planning, accountability and the efficient use of public resources as Ghana’s education sector continues to expand.
