Objective: Enable MoE staff and partners to confidently calculate, interpret, distinguish and use EiE indicators in order to deliver subnational EiE training
Unit 1: Introduction to EiE data literacy
An Introduction
In South Sudan, education data is never just about numbers. In refugee settlements and emergency-affected communities, every figure collected represents a child whose learning has been disrupted by conflict, displacement, hunger, flooding, or loss. These children are among the most vulnerable in the country, yet they are also central to South Sudan’s future. Education in Emergencies (EiE) data helps us understand whether children are able to access learning, whether they are safe in school, whether teaching is effective, and whether education systems are strong enough to respond in times of crisis. Without reliable EiE data, the needs of these children remain invisible, and planning becomes guesswork.
South Sudan faces one of the world’s most severe education emergencies. Millions of children remain out of school, and many more are learning in overcrowded classrooms, temporary spaces, or unsafe conditions with limited resources. In refugee camps and host communities, education services must respond not only to immediate need, but also to constant change as populations move, crises evolve, and pressure on schools increases. EiE data allows the Ministry of General Education and Instruction and its partners to see these changes clearly, identify the greatest gaps, and respond with evidence. It helps decision-makers move beyond assumptions and direct resources where they are needed most—whether that means more teachers, safer classrooms, better learning materials, or stronger systems to support continuity in education.
For data officers, collecting EiE data is therefore a practical and strategic responsibility. It is the foundation for sound planning, effective response, and accountable decision-making in some of the most difficult learning environments in the country. By understanding how EiE indicators are defined, calculated, interpreted, and used, data officers become more than data collectors—they become essential contributors to improving education for children in crisis. Their role is not only to produce accurate information, but also to ensure that this information can be used confidently by others through training, coordination, and action at national and subnational levels.
Discussion
Welcome to the course. Before we begin working with Education in Emergencies (EiE) indicators, this discussion forum is an opportunity to introduce yourself, reflect on your experience, and begin connecting with colleagues who will be learning and working with you throughout this course.
Education in Emergencies work is often shaped by difficult and fast-changing realities. Each of us brings different experiences of collecting, managing, or using education data in challenging contexts. By sharing these experiences, we can better understand the realities others are working in, learn from one another, and build a supportive community for the remote collaboration this course will require.
In your post, please introduce yourself and respond to the following:
After posting your introduction, please read at least two posts from colleagues and reply to them. In your response, identify one experience you share and one new insight you learned from their post. This will help us begin building a strong learning community for the course.
Themes
In the following course we will investigate and familiarise ourselves with indicators that provide data on the following EiE areas.
By the end of the module, you will be able to turn raw numbers into practical insights that strengthen planning, improve programme quality, and guide responses in crisis-affected contexts. These skills are essential because good data is only valuable when it is understood and applied—effective analysis helps ensure that education responses are targeted, equitable, and responsive to the real needs of learners and communities.
Good luck and enjoy!
EiE Education Data Training Course by South Sudan Ministry of General Education and Instruction and UNESCO is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.