The UIS has released three information papers to help governments produce, interpret and use accurate indicators on out-of-school children. By exploring specific methodological issues, the papers highlight the need to harmonize data sources while helping national statisticians understand why indicator values can vary depending on the data source, collection method, or technique used to calculate indicators.
The UIS works with about 200 countries and territories to produce the most comprehensive and trusted global education database. The quality of these indicators depends on the data provided by line ministries (especially education ministries) and national statistical offices.
Given the time it can take to mobilize around development goals and establish effective monitoring systems to track progress, the 2030 deadline for the achievement of the global goal on education is just around the corner. Nevertheless, there are times when it is wise to pause for a moment and take stock.
The UIS is bringing together key actors from across the international education community through two flagship initiatives that will be meeting in May to help set the course for the measurement agenda.
In many ways, education indicators are like a satellite navigation system that can help us reach our destination: Sustainable Development Goal 4. Based on the data, policymakers in the driving seat can select the best route and adjust their direction and speed as they progress or hit a roadblock. Ultimately, the success of the education system relies to some degree on the accuracy of the data used to inform decisions about how to best use resources to achieve goals
Children and adolescents with disabilities are more likely to be out of school or to leave school before completing primary education
Under the banner of accountable and participatory governance for delivering on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, Global Action Week for Education calls for citizen participation in education policymaking and monitoring progress.
Test translation
The UIS has published updated indicators for the cinema industry that include the results of the latest Feature Film Survey.
Conducted every two years, the aim of the survey is to meet the growing need for comparable data on innovation in the business sector, which is an important driver of economic growth. It seeks to identify trends, common features and dissimilarities among firms in countries at different stages of development.
The 2015 survey gathered data from 71 countries, including nine in Africa, in order to produce a range of basic innovation indicators to inform policies at national and international levels.
Ambitious goals demand more and better data, which is why the Inter-agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators is meeting today in Ottawa. Experts from countries and international agencies including the UNESCO Institute for Statistics are once again reviewing the frameworks and work plans needed to help deliver on the pledges made for 2030. The good news is that just about everyone agrees on the strength and value of the education indicators. The challenges lie in producing them and disseminating them in a way that they are actively used.