In her address, PS Linda William-Melanie said the forum is a critical milestone in the implementation of the data management ECCE project. Data which is a valuableasset in any organisation, is the new gold in this century, the PS stated. She stressed on the critical importance of data management and accessibility to both the private and the public sector worldwide. The PS added that availability of reliable and viable data enables high process, efficiency and aids in more informed decision-making, effective planning and strategic actions.
Consultant on the sensitisation on data management in ECCE, Egbert Benstrong presented his findings to the audience, commending the country’s high rank on a range of human development indices. However, the country recognises that there is a need to strengthen the policy environment for monitoring and decision-making which is perhaps compounded by the availability of clear and reliable data. In his findings, Mr Benstrong said,for instance,they saw a lot of reporting from social workers to their district administrators, however there are a few challenges that they encountered for example internet connection which is very important in data collection, he highlighted.
IECD chief executive Shirley Choppy emphasised the importance of collecting and analysing information. She said usually we see so much information scattered and the information is not in a proper generic format (digital). This she said makes it difficult to analyse the information especially when it is paper based.
Mrs Choppy said they aim to implement an information system that each sector can enter their information in real time to better analyse and get proper results regarding child development. She stated that this can help ensure that interventions are acted on in a timely manner. She added that if interventions are not acted on early and problems are not identified, they become more difficult later on when the child has grown older.
The IECD aims to bring about rapid actions that will benefit children in their development.
Director for social services, Beryl Laboudallon said the project is relevant for the social side as it will help the department identify gaps in terms of data management. She ascertained that they have a lot of data that is scattered throughout and often when they are asked certain information they need to run around to look for it. She added that their biggest challenge in data management is for them to analyse the information to have evidence to see what the situation is in terms of social and what can be done to assist the people who reach out to them.
Ms Laboudallon said to really help the people correctly the department must have accurate and complete information.
The forum continued till mid afternoon with panel discussions, a brief video on harmonising data to better protect vulnerable children, and a presentation of participatory certificates to a group of social workers who contributed to the findings on data management in ECCE.
Marla Simeon
