MONROVIA, LIBERIA-The Head of the African Union’s Pan-African Institute for Education for Development, Noubatour Adoumtar, says Liberia needs a national education data policy to address fragmented information management practices.

Adoumtar spoke on Monday, September 27, 2026, in Monrovia during the Education Management Information System Policy Stakeholder Consultation on developing Liberia’s Education Management Information System Policy.

According to him, a review of Liberia’s education information system identified overlapping mandates, parallel data collection, inconsistent standards, and informal data-sharing practices as key weaknesses.

He said a strong EMIS policy should clearly define institutional responsibilities, standardize data definitions and sources, establish official education statistics, protect privacy, and ensure sustainable financing.

Adoumtar urged stakeholders to provide candid and constructive feedback to ensure the final policy accurately reflects Liberia’s education system and remains practical for implementation.

At the same time, Deputy Education Minister for Planning, Research and Development, Thomas Momo Parker, said Liberia’s education sector requires reliable and timely data to strengthen planning, budgeting, monitoring, and decision-making.

Deputy Minister Parker spoke Monday in Congo Town at the Education Management Information System, EMIS Policy Stakeholder Consultation on the development of Liberia’s Education Management Information System Policy.

According to him, the Ministry of Education has strengthened the annual school census and introduced school-based data collection through statutory school record-keeping systems.

He said the EMIS policy must provide practical and sustainable mechanisms for collecting accurate information on learners, teachers, schools, facilities, resources, and educational needs nationwide.

The consultation brings together government officials, development partners, and education stakeholders to review emerging findings and shape a coordinated national framework for managing Liberia’s education information system.