Reinforcing Coordination Efforts in Education:
ADEA's Program and Project Information System on Education (PRISME)
The idea of ADEA’s Program and Project Information System on Education (PRISME) originated with the founding of ADEA (then DAE) in 1988. DIS ("Donors Information System"), as it was then called, was seen as a tool that would help funding agencies coordinate their efforts in the interest of education in Africa. DIS was first issued in 1991. ADEA has recently updated the information contained in the database and revamped the computer interface.
A Beta version of the software will be presented at the ADEA Biennial Meeting in Dakar.
History and objectives
ADEA’s Program and Project Information System on Education (PRISME) originated with the founding of ADEA in 1988. The idea was to develop an information system consisting of an inventory of all development agencies’ ongoing projects and programs of assistance to education in sub-Saharan Africa. The system was seen as a tool to facilitate the coordination of efforts directed towards education in Africa, especially among funding agencies. Improved coordination in the interest of education in Africa is one of ADEA’s fundamental mandates and raison d’tre.
-- The first version
The first version of the product, then called DIS, was issued in 1991. This was the first attempt ever made to compile all agency educational activities carried out in sub-Saharan Africa. DIS was developed as a DOS-based program and presented in the form of a set of diskettes with a user’s guide.
-- Updating PRISME
In 1993, in order to ensure that user’s needs would be met, a questionnaire survey was carried out and sent to all ADEA member agencies. The results of the survey were compiled and used as a basis to develop new guidelines for the revision of PRISME. In 1995, the ADEA Secretariat undertook a pilot updating of PRISME that confirmed the demand for, and the perceived utility of, PRISME. It was noted, however, that the presentation of the information in a user-friendly computer package was essential, and that annual updates were important.
In October 1996, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) seconded one of its professional staff members to undertake the content updating of PRISME. Ms. Yumiko Yokoseki conducted the first phase of the information gathering exercise from October 1996 to February 1997. The second phase of the information gathering was completed by a consultant, Mr. Beedeeanun Conhye.
The Beta version of PRISME
A beta version of PRISME is now ready to be presented. Twenty-five funding agencies have provided information on their programs and projects. The search engine allows the user to select programs or projects according to different criteria such as project name, beneficiary country, funding agency, etc.
One of the attractive features of PRISME is the comprehensiveness of the information provided. For each program or project, a summary of the program/project is given as well as the following data: the name of the funding and executing agencies, major objectives of the project, the type of activity encompassed, operational inputs, start and end dates, information on the evaluation report, budget, funding mechanism, and contact persons.
A new computer interface
The computer interface has been upgraded so that PRISME is now a user-friendly and interactive Windows 3.1 based program.
Furthermore, PRISME has been designed in order for it to be accessible to a wide range of users. The program will initially be available on floppy disk and at a later stage on CD-ROM. Minimum system requirements are the following: an IBM compatible computer; Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 or later; 486 DX/33 processor or better (recommended); a VGA or compatible display (4805640 pixels); a minimum of 4 megabytes of random-access memory; a hard disk with 6 megabytes of free space.
Plans to make the database accessible on the World Wide Web in the foreseeable future are underway.
Future updating of PRISME
In order for PRISME to remain a useful tool for coordination, annual and timely updating is crucial. Hence, PRISME has been designed to facilitate the updating process. Updating will be centrally maaged by the ADEA Secretariat. However, each agency will receive a shell of the program which will enable them to easily update the information on their projects themselves.
Presentation of PRISME in Dakar
The new version of PRISME will be presented at the ADEA Biennial Meeting in Dakar. Participants are invited to attend the presentation and fill in a feedback sheet will be distributed to appraise the software capabilities as well as the informational content of the program. Comments and suggestions will be taken into account to improve the Beta version before the final version is released.
A bilingual version of PRISME will be finalized and ready for dissemination by the end of 1997.
Beedeeanun Conhye
ADEA PRISME Consultant
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