Simdik: Data Information, and The Future of Education

Simdik: Data, Information, and the Future of Education

By: Ayi M. Sirojudin

The development of information technology in Indonesia is accelerating and has influenced various aspects of life, including education. However, many schools/madrasahs still face serious challenges in managing data and information. A verifiable phenomenon is the discovery of discrepancies in data on the number of students, teachers, and academic achievements when reports are submitted to the education office. Schools should be able to utilise the education management information system (SIMDIK) to reduce these data gaps. The gap arises because the available technology cannot be utilised optimally. The main problem is the weak integration of information, which often results in untimely and inaccurate decision-making. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss the basic concepts of SIMDIK, its implementation in education, the accompanying digital transformation, and the issues that hinder its success.

A Management Information System (SIM) is essentially a combination of human elements, procedures, and technology to process data into information that is relevant for decision-making. In the context of education, SIMDIK enables school principals, teachers, and supervisors to obtain a clear picture of the school's condition. The basic principles of SIM are effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability. Its advantages lie in its ability to present data with high accuracy and facilitate analysis, although it still has limitations such as high costs, data security threats, and uneven access speeds.

SIMDIK is the embodiment of information technology implementation in education. Through this system, schools can manage student data from registration, learning processes, financial administration, to alumni status. Its main objectives are to provide transparency, improve technological literacy, and support public accountability. SIMDIK serves to reduce uncertainty in decision-making by presenting accurate information. In practice, educational decisions can be made using various models: rational, political, or process-based, depending on the situation at hand.

Digital transformation presents great opportunities for education. The internet and communication networks allow educational data to be accessed without limitations of place and time. At the management level, SIMDIK supports strategic planning, tactical planning, and operational supervision. For schools, the advantages of SIMDIK include easier reporting in accordance with national standards, the provision of an integrated database, and an improved institutional image. For students and parents, the benefits include online access to grades, attendance, and other information.

Despite its great potential, SIMDIK in schools/madrasahs still faces a number of problems. Educational services are often not optimal because data is not well integrated. The lack of collaboration between school management components causes policies to be implemented partially. Information accountability is also still weak due to the many versions of data in circulation. In addition, the provision of strategic information is often slow, preventing important decisions from being made in a timely manner. All these challenges indicate the need for seriousness in developing information technology-based management tools so that SIMDIK can truly become the backbone of modern education. SIMDIK combines technology and educational management to process data into information, support decision-making, and improve services, despite the limitations.

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*) This article is summarised from the Teaching Module for the Educational Information Management System Part-2 course taught by Prof. Rusdiana. Ayi M. Sirojudin. Born in Garut on 1 April 1980, Residential Address: Perum Cakrabuana Asri RT. 005 RW. 002, Cisitu Village, Malangbong District, Garut Regency, 44188, Mobile: 081323277713, Email: hierofani022@gmail.com. His current profession is as a teacher at SMKN 7 Garut, while pursuing a Master's degree in Islamic Education Management at the Postgraduate Programme of UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung.