The Power of Persistence: Education System ... - EQUIP123.net

the education system and have limited, to some degree, control and political
influence emanating from the MOE central office. The development and
implementation of EMIS outlines the integration of a highly technical, externally
supported activity that supported a change in the planning and management
dialogue within the system.
In 2006, the Permanent Secretary, following her speech introducing the
Joint Annual Review, was told that her comments were too data driven.
Presently, domestic and international education specialists regularly use the
MOE EMIS system as a common data platform to discuss policy issues and
the MOE uses EMIS data to support advocacy with other GRZ departments,
including the MoFNP. Increased use and confidence in EMIS systems in Zambia
have evidenced the systems impact of community school growth and led to
increased MOE recognition and support of community schools at all levels
while also engaging districts in streamlined data collection and reporting
activities have supported DEB inclusion into the MOE planning and decisionmaking
system.
ThE ROLE OF DONORS
Between 1975 and 1990 GRZ education expenditures decreased while external
aid more than doubled. While the National Education Policy laid out a
framework for education reform in the mid-1990s, donor resources supported
the negotiation of into BESSIP that highlighted prioritizing primary education,
shifting MOE resources toward the primary sub-sector, implementing through
a SWAp and establishment of DEBs in all districts. During the reform period,
MOE education expenditures ranged from 2 percent to 3 percent of the GDP,
with external aid accounting for between 20-35 percent of annual education
expenditures budget. Starting with the BESSIP, the GRZ expressed its desire for
CPs to send their funding through direct budget support but remained flexible in
allowing projectized and earmarked funding to support sector goals as well.
During the reform period donor organizations, led by the World Bank, supported
the transition from a heavily projectized environment toward increased MOE-
Cooperating Partner (CP) coordination through a SWAp and maintained
significant resource inputs aligned with MOE sector priorities. With the close
of BESSIP, the strengthening of the Zambian economy, the forgiveness of the
majority of Zambia’s debt, and the development of the Sector Plan, the CPs
lost some levers and organizing fora afforded them by BESSIP. Even though
CPs continued to contribute significant resources and technical assistance,
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SECTION 2: lESSONS fROM COUNTRY CASE STUdIES