How a digital transformation project redesigned the future of technical education in Angola.
Technical and vocational education in Angola has undergone a phase of consolidation and modernization. At the heart of this transformation is the SIETP – Information System for Technical and Vocational Education, a digital platform designed to meet the specific needs of the sector. Developed within the context of the RETFOP – Revitalization of Technical Education and Vocational Training in Angola program, coordinated by the LBC team, the aim was to provide the education system with a robust, intuitive and functional tool, geared towards the collection, management and reliable analysis of data. This project was funded by the European Union, through the 11th European Development Fund, and co-financed by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, IP, reinforcing the international commitment to strengthening education in Angola.
Framing the challenge: when data becomes decisive
For decades, information on Angolan technical and vocational education was fragmented, with ad hoc collections, irregular formats and little capacity for timely analysis. There was no centralized tool to manage data on schools, students, teachers and courses. This absence compromised strategic decisions and the design of public policies for the sector.
It was necessary to create a system that was not just a data repository, but rather a dynamic instrument for monitoring, planning and improving the quality of technical education – a system that guaranteed statistical reliability, accessibility to information and integration with the existing educational ecosystem, namely with SIGE – Angola's Education Information and Management System.
Listening to build: the collaborative development process
LBC adopted a user-centric approach from the outset. Active listening to the main stakeholders – Ministry of Education, GEPE – Office of Studies, Planning and Statistics, INFQE – National Institute for Training of Education Staff and the schools themselves – was the cornerstone of the entire process. Each functional requirement was designed after needs assessment sessions, context analyses and joint validation sessions.
The work methodology followed agile principles, according to the Agile methodology (project management and software development that prioritizes flexibility, collaboration and customer focus), ensuring iterative deliveries and constant adaptability to new requirements. The SIETP architecture was segmented by macro processes – such as managing schools, courses, teachers, students, closing school years and generating indicators –, ensuring functional clarity and technological scalability.
The interface was designed to be accessible, intuitive and adapted to the daily lives of end users. Each screen and flow was prototyped based on good UI – User Interface and UX – User Experience practices, promoting clarity, specificity and usability throughout all interactions.
Results that change the educational landscape
With the entry into operation of SIETP, Angola now has a platform that allows:
- Register and manage, in real time, data about schools, students, teachers and courses;
- Produce reliable statistics, segmented by region, typology, gender, age group and other indicators;
- Monitor the evolution of the technical education system based on concrete data;
- Strengthen transparency and efficiency in political decision-making.
More than a technological solution, SIETP represents a turning point in the way the Angolan education system is conceived, organized and designed. The ability to generate solid indicators – of inclusion, participation, completion and human resources – reinforces the role of the Ministry of Education as a strategic agent for the country’s development.