UNRWA LAUNCHES AGENCY-WIDE EDUCATION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
02 September 2016
The beginning of the 2016/2017 school year in the five fields in which UNRWA operates also marks the official launch of its Agency-wide Education Management Information System (EMIS). The initial launch took place in Gaza on 30 August 2016, with other Fields to follow. The launch was attended by Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, Ms. Melinda Young, Gaza EMIS Team, senior UNRWA staff, school principals and teachers. The EMIS project is generously supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of France.
“This is another live example of UNRWA efforts to provide quality services to Palestine refugees through Information Technology. The system is cutting edge in both educational and technical design,” said Ms. Melinda Young.
The new Agency-wide EMIS will be used by every school in UNRWA to capture a range of timely, specific information about individual students and teachers to better support analysis at all levels and reinforce evidence-based policy making.
“The EMIS proves that software developers from UNRWA in Gaza are very professional and able to build sophisticated systems used by the whole Agency. The Gaza-based team developed – in coordination with HQ and the five UNRWA fields – three modules (for students, staff and premises) as well as a reporting tool, built in consultation with Microsoft and their latest software development technology,” proudly said EMIS project manager Mustafa Abu Tahoun.
The new EMIS captures information on individual children as they enter school and progress from one grade to the next. It will integrate information on school premises, students, class sections and staff through strong linkages with other UNRWA data systems, such as the FMIS (Facility Management Information System,) RISS (Registration Information System), E-Health, and Human Resources systems.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA Programme Budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall, projected for 2016 to stand at US$ 96.5 million. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s Programme Budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.
For more information, please contact:
Christopher Gunness
Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 240 2659
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0267
Sami Mshasha
Chief of Communications, Arabic Language Spokesperson
Mobile:
+972 (0)54 216 8295
Office:
+972 (0)2 589 0724
Document Sources: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Assistance, Education and culture, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 02/09/2016