Vivian Takyi-Mensah (right), Founder and Headmistress of Morning Glory International School, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, speaking during a panel discussion. With her are Lynn Owusu-Basoah (2nd from right), owner and Principal of Kids At Heart International School, and Adwoa Anno (left), the Moderator. Picture: ESTHER ADJORKOR ADJEI

Pearson urges schools to embrace data-driven tools for modern education

Beatrice Laryea Nov - 29 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Pearson’s West Africa Regional Development Manager for Qualifications and International Schools, Gabriel Sowah Mensah, has emphasised the critical role of data-driven leadership in transforming education.

He underscored the importance of data not just in education, but across all sectors, stressing that institutions that failed to adopt data-driven systems risked falling behind.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, he noted that successful international-curriculum schools increasingly rely on data to guide decisions in teaching, assessment, classroom management, and overall school operations.

Presence

Mr Mensah also highlighted Pearson’s longstanding presence in Ghana, its rapid growth in the pre-tertiary sector since 2016, and its commitment to research-driven, globally relevant learning content.

Through practical examples — such as tracking student performance trends or using visitor logs for operational insights, Mr Mensah illustrated how real-time data can strengthen decision-making, support learners more effectively and foster collaboration between schools and parents.

He was speaking on the sidelines of Pearson’s Annual Principals’ Forum and Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards Ceremony in Accra last Friday.

The forum provided updates on curriculum delivery, innovations and opportunities for improvement, while also celebrating top-performing students through the Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards.

Examinations

It featured speeches, panel discussions on examinations and inspection, a spotlight on Pearson resources, a training session on data and concluded with the awards ceremony.

It brought together heads of school from across the country, who are either running the Pearson curriculum or want to run the curriculum.

At the event, the Pearson Schools community in Ghana also celebrated Gina Faitin of International Community Montessori School in Takoradi for creating a conducive work environment in which Loretta Enu could flourish, thereby contributing to her winning the "Pearson Global Teacher of the Year 2025" award. Ms Enu also received a congratulatory hamper from the community.

Also present at the awards ceremony was the Sunflower School music ensemble, which added colour and harmonious music to the event.

Commitment

Mr Mensah added that in today’s world, “You are either data-driven or you are dead as a business,” reaffirming Pearson’s commitment to equipping schools with the tools and innovations needed for modern, responsive education.

"I think at the crux of it is the fact that education is meant to be dynamic, it's supposed to be research-driven, it's supposed to respond to the needs of the people that are being educated, the learners and so on."

"So, to that extent, yes, we embrace any school that wants to have a stable research-driven curriculum that lends itself to international best practices, the most current research that is available, that is shaping how education is developing," he said.

Data expert, Evelyn Agyepong, delivered a compelling and practical session on why schools must adopt a data-driven culture to improve outcomes.