The regional workshop on capacity building for Arab statisticians to monitor SDG 4 indicators concluded in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Organized by the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), the event brought together representatives from Ministries of Education and National Statistical Offices across Arab countries. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education data and align it with international standards.
The workshop addressed pressing challenges in education data management, including fragmented data sources, inconsistent national methodologies, and gaps in aligning local frameworks with global reporting requirements. An interactive approach combined practical exercises, peer learning, and expert guidance from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, ensuring participants gained hands-on experience in data collection, analysis, and monitoring of SDG 4 indicators.
Participants received in-depth training on applying the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011) and aligning it with national education programs. They were introduced to tools for measuring learning outcomes, tracking education expenditures, and optimizing the use of household surveys to support comprehensive monitoring efforts.
Bilateral discussions between national statisticians and UIS experts allowed for addressing country-specific challenges, particularly in contexts where extraordinary circumstances affect data collection capacity. These sessions helped develop realistic strategies to support such countries and strengthen national coordination mechanisms.
The workshop reinforced regional cooperation, with participants agreeing on steps to improve education data systems across Arab countries. Key recommendations included establishing national task forces to enhance coordination, updating education program lists in line with ISCED standards, strengthening communication with UIS for timely data submission, and engaging Ministers of Education and Finance to improve education financing data management.
Participants also emphasized preparing for the upcoming Education Data and Statistics Commission meeting in Montreal in April 2026. They agreed to convene a unified Arab consultative meeting to coordinate regional positions and ensure effective representation of Arab countries at the international level.
As the second in a series of regional training workshops, the event marked a significant milestone in empowering Arab countries to strengthen their education data systems. Participants highlighted the importance of sustaining such initiatives to guide evidence-based policymaking and advance progress toward achieving SDG 4 by 2030.
