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3.2 Evolution and development of EMIS in Bangladesh

Background of role and development in education statistics

27. Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS) was
created as an attached department of the Ministry of Education in 1977 with a mandate
for collecting, processing and disseminating education information and statistics for all
levels – from primary to tertiary and to publish annual reports, bulletins, etc. The data
were then collected annually through District Education Officers in a particular format
covering primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and Madrasahs by sub-district
(Thana). The data were manually processed by the statistics division of this bureau. The
data from other types of institutions, e.g. technical-vocational/professional and the
public universities were collected directly from the institutions and processed manually.
All manually processed data were analysed and published in detailed annual reports,
summary reports and bulletins on education statistics.

28. In 1983, this bureau installed a mini computer and engaged with preparation
of Monthly Pay Order (MPO), a computer system for payroll administration for the
teachers/employees of private secondary schools, college and Madrasah. Only payroll
statistics were maintained with this system. Preparation of education statistics continued
to be via manual data processing. In 1993, this bureau developed PC-based database
management software for primary, secondary, college and Madrasah at the sub-district
level and started collection of data through Thana education officers.

29. However, from 1992 to 1993, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) created
a new division called Primary and Mass Education Division (PMED) to oversee the
activities of primary and non-formal education. As a result of this, BANBEIS has
stopped the direct data collection from primary schools as Thana Education officers
came under the authority of PMED. However, for the year 1993, BANBEIS collected the
summary data of primary education through District Education Officer. The data were
processed manually and the annual report for education statistics for the year 1993
covering primary to higher level was published.

30. In 1993, BANBEIS organized a country-wide education survey covering post-
primary education institutions financed by GOB. PC-based database management
system for institution profile for secondary school, college and Madrasah was developed
to process the data. The results of the survey were published in different forms. The
data for other types of institutions (Technical, Vocational and Professional, as well as
university) at the post primary level were collected directly from the institutions and
processed manually. Although the database could not be updated regularly with actual
statistics, estimates were made for each year through the increasing/decreasing factors
(of enrolment, teachers, etc.) obtained via sample surveys and inclusion of new
institutions in the database.

31. In 1999, BANBEIS conducted the National Education Survey for the post-
primary institutions under an EMIS project funded by the United Nation Development
Programme (UNDP). This resulted in the development of a comprehensive Database

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