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Planning, Research & Statistics

About the Department

The Department of Planning, Research, and Statistics (DPRS) is the 'Think Tank' of the Board, charged with providing technical and professional support services to RSUBEB and other basic education stakeholders. It is responsible for strategic planning, research, and the collection and collation of statistical data. The department manages information resources including ICT equipment in offices and schools, handles policy issues in collaboration with the State Ministry of Education, and serves as the bridge that links all other departments — as all activities and programmes revolve around it.

Director's Profile

Mrs. Joy Chinazor Ojirika

Director, Planning, Research and Statistics

Mrs. Joy Chinazor Ojirika is a seasoned education administrator and accomplished statistician, currently serving as the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB). She also coordinates the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme within the Board.

With a distinguished public service career spanning nearly three decades, Mrs. Ojirika began her journey in 1995 when she joined RSUBEB as a Statistician. Her dedication, expertise, and commitment to data-driven educational development have seen her rise steadily through the ranks.

In 2005, she was appointed HIV/AIDS Desk Officer in the Department of Social Mobilization, where she contributed significantly to awareness and intervention programmes. She also served for many years as the Education Management Information System (EMIS) Desk Officer, playing a key role in strengthening data systems and policy planning within the Board.

Her leadership capabilities earned her promotion to Director in 2018. She subsequently served as Acting Project Manager and later Substantive Project Manager, demonstrating excellence in project coordination and execution. On July 2, 2021, she was appointed Director of Physical Planning, and in July 2022, she assumed her current role as Director of Planning, Research and Statistics.

Mrs. Ojirika is a Corporate Member of the Statistical Association of Nigeria and a Registered Member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mathematics and Statistics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from Rivers State University, and completed her secondary education at Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls' School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.

Mrs. Ojirika is widely respected for her integrity, professionalism, and passion for advancing basic education through strategic planning, research, and data-driven decision-making.

Functions

  • Developing and implementing strategic plans to improve the quality of basic education in Rivers State.
  • Coordinating the Medium-Term Basic Education Strategic Plan (MTBESP) used to access the FGN-UBEC Grant.
  • Managing the Education Management Information System (EMIS) to ensure accurate data on enrolment, teachers, and infrastructure.
  • Conducting and publishing research on basic education topics to inform policy and programme improvements.
  • Providing data analysis and statistical support to inform decision-making across the education system.
  • Managing ICT procurement, technical support, and maintenance of ICT equipment in offices and schools.
  • Coordinating the Annual School Census (ASC) and producing school census reports.
  • Liaising with the State Ministry of Education and relevant agencies on research, statistics, and policy matters.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Board plans and strategic targets.
  • Disseminating information and education statistics to stakeholders and data users in a timely and accurate manner.

Units of the Department

1

Strategic Planning / ICT Unit

Responsible for developing and launching action plans that outline strategies and tactics to achieve basic education goals. The unit also manages information resources and ICT activities in schools.

  • Preparing planning documentation and communicating with stakeholders in the planning process.
  • Developing the Board's Rolling Plan (SMTBESP) and all planning activities.
  • Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of Board plans.
  • Formulating procedures for monitoring SUBEB activities and departmental plans.
  • Providing technical support to end users, resolving hardware and software issues.
  • Collaborating with vendors and service providers to procure ICT equipment and services.
  • Developing and maintaining documentation of ICT systems, configurations, and troubleshooting guides.
  • Staying updated on industry trends and recommending improvements to the educational ICT system.
2

Research and Publication Unit

Responsible for conducting UBE research, collecting and interpreting basic education data, and publishing research findings authorised by the Board.

  • Researching the internal organisation and operational modalities of the Board and its departments.
  • Conducting Monitoring of Learning Achievements (MLA) exercises.
  • Collaborating with EMIS in the collection, collation, examination, and interpretation of basic education data.
  • Relating with relevant agencies outside the Board on research, school, and statistics matters.
  • Researching and publishing materials and findings as authorised by the Board.
  • Validating school annual census reports.
  • Carrying out other research-related duties as assigned by Board management.
3

Education Management Information System (EMIS) Unit

EMIS is a comprehensive system bringing together people, practices, and technology to provide quality education statistics in a timely, accurate, cost-effective, and sustainable manner. It supports informed decision-making for operations and management across the Board.

  • Coordinating and carrying out the Annual School Census (ASC) yearly.
  • Processing and analysing data for informed decision-making.
  • Storing, maintaining, and managing the information database for future reference.
  • Providing information required for the planning and financing of programmes.
  • Disseminating information to stakeholders and other data users.
  • Providing timely, reliable, and accurate education statistics.
  • Organising seminars and workshops for EMIS staff capacity building.
  • Providing technical support to LGEA and school-level EMIS officers.

Structure of the Unit

Executive Chairman
Director PRS
HOU Strategic Planning/ICT
Staff of Planning/ICT
HOU Research
Staff of Research
HOU EMIS
Staff of EMIS

Department Structure

The department is subdivided into three units: (1) Planning Unit/ICT, (2) Research and Publication Unit, and (3) Education Management Information System (EMIS) Unit. Each unit is staffed with specialists who work collaboratively to deliver the department's mandate.

Progress Made So Far

Medium-Term Basic Education Strategic Plan (MTBESP)

  • MTBESP is a strategic document developed by RSUBEB, linked to the Federal Ministry of Education's Ministerial Strategic Plan.
  • The PRS Department led a 7-man technical committee drawn from across departments to develop each cycle.
  • Cycle 1 (2017–2019), Cycle 2 (2020–2023), Cycle 3 (2021–2024), and Cycle 4 (2024–2027) have been developed and implemented.

ICT Progress

  • Collaborating with the Teachers Professional Development (TPD) department on online teacher training registration and biometrics.
  • Partnership with Cloudnotte Software to enhance teaching, learning, and school administration through technology.
  • Planned 3-day capacity building for ICT officers on data management including digital form design (ODK, KOBO Toolbox, SurveyCTO).
  • Planned 3-day capacity building on data analysis and visualisation using Excel, Power BI, and Looker Studio.
  • Planned 2-day capacity building for M&E officers and ICT focal persons on integrating digital tools for school monitoring and reporting.

EMIS Progress

  • Established a comprehensive system providing quality education statistics across the state.
  • Carried out annual school census for 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 academic years.
  • Trained EMIS LGA officers on BEMIS — enabling direct digital data collection from schools using handheld devices.
  • Data collected spans pre-primary, primary, and junior secondary public schools across all 23 LGAs.