The Zimbabwean Government has finally unveiled a cutting-edge Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) designed to revolutionise the way data is collected, analysed, and used to make informed decisions in the education and manpower planning sectors.
Key Features of DuraIsiphala263
- DuraIsiphala263 is a homegrown system that aims to provide a central repository for critical information from all higher and tertiary institutions across Zimbabwe.
- The system serves as a platform for programme offerings, student enrollment, graduate statistics, and employment data.
- At its current stage, DuraIsiphala263 provides summary statistics for strategic insights.
Benefits of the System
- Policymakers can now forecast national manpower needs and align education programmes with economic objectives more effectively.
- The system enables real-time analytics, analysis, and planning to predict the future of higher education with increased confidence.
- It provides a more comprehensive national skills planning framework by integrating with other national data systems.
Integration with Other National Data Systems
| System | Ministry/Institution | Intended Outcome |
| DuraIsiphala263 | Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education | Alignment of education programmes with national skills planning objectives |
| DuraIsiphala263 | ZIMSEC | Enhanced monitoring and evaluation of student performance |
| DuraIsiphala263 | ZIMSTATS | Improved national skills planning and forecasting |
“Systems of this kind evolve. It is through meaningful use, enhancements, and timely data provision that we will maximise its utility. Today is the beginning of a journey – a journey of a thousand miles starting with a first step. We must walk it together,”
CEO of Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
Professor Kuzvinetsa Dzvimbo described DuraIsiphala263 as a “transformative tool” that will enhance planning and oversight through real-time dashboards, analytics, and harmonised reporting. “This system marks a groundbreaking step in modernising data-based planning within Zimbabwe’s national education sector,” said Prof Dzvimbo. “It strengthens our Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model and sets us apart from other SADC countries that still depend on proprietary external systems.”
Pilot Training and Collaboration
The platform was piloted through training and collaboration with 89 percent of Zimbabwe’s higher and tertiary education institutions, reflecting a strong commitment to local innovation and capacity building.
Conclusion
The launch of DuraIsiphala263 represents a major stride in Zimbabwe’s push toward a data-driven, modernised education system that supports national development goals. As stakeholders, we must seize this opportunity to harness the full potential of this system and work together to shape the future of Zimbabwe’s education sector. The system’s cutting-edge features, integration with other national data systems, and transformative potential make it an exciting development in the Zimbabwean education sector. With DuraIsiphala263, the Government is taking a significant step towards creating a data-driven, modernised education system that will drive national development and support the country’s vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
