PNG Student Data Collection System SDCS Manual

 How to use SDCS  in Schools in Papua New Guinea

The Student Data Collection System, commonly referred to as SDCS, is an online platform developed and employed by the Papua New Guinea Department of Education through its Measurement Services Division (MSD). This system is designed to streamline the collection, management, and reporting of student data across all schools in the country. SDCS enables schools to efficiently upload nominations, internal marks, and teacher details, ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information is available for national assessments, certification, and educational planning.

Here is a detailed, symbol-free step-by-step guide for schools in Papua New Guinea to use the Student Data Collection System (SDCS), based on the simplified manual you provided:

Step One: Accessing the SDCS Website

• Begin by opening your internet browser and typing the website address: sdcs.puremathsolutions.com
• Once the page loads, enter your assigned username and password to log in (credentials supplied to you by the Measurement Services Division -PNG Education Department.
• When prompted by a dialogue box asking to save your password, click "Never". This helps prevent others from accessing your students’ data if they use the same computer.
• You are advised not to change your password.

SDCS LOGIN 

Step Two: Understanding the SDCS Home Page

After logging in, you will see the main dashboard with the following sections:

The title "Puremath ERP" indicates that you are on the SDCS home page.

• The "Administration" tab is for communication between the Measurement Services Division, Provincial Education Services, and your school.
• The "School Info" tab provides student status codes, such as one for normal, two for withdrawn, and three for expelled. These codes help you complete the nomination template correctly. You will also see total student numbers, as well as male and female counts.
• The "Status Summary" tab shows how many students fall under each status category.
• The "MSD Checklist" tab allows the Measurement Services Division to confirm your uploads. You can check this to verify if your uploads were successful.
• The sections labeled "Grade Eight", "Grade Ten", and "Grade Twelve" are where you manage your nominations and marks.

Step Three: Handling the Nomination Template

This process involves downloading, filling in, and uploading student nomination data.

For Grade Ten:

• First, click on "Grade Ten Exam Nomination Input".
• Next, click on "Download Format" and complete the required fields.
• Click "Download Format" again and allow the browser pop-up when it appears. You may need to click "Always Allow" to ensure the download works.
• Once the Excel file has downloaded, turn off your internet connection and work offline.
• Find the downloaded file in your "Downloads" folder and rename it appropriately. For example, you may rename it "Grade Ten Nominations Buang High School 2023".
• Begin filling in the file. Ensure all required columns are completed. You may leave the date of birth and SLF columns blank or partly filled, as these are optional.
• For subject columns, use one to indicate the subject is taken and zero for not taken.
• Ensure that the gender column uses capital letters, either M for male or F for female.
• Save the completed file on your computer.
• Reconnect to the internet, log back into the SDCS system, go to "Grade Ten Exam Nomination Input", and click "Upload Data".
• Fill in the filter field, select your file, and click "Save".
• A dialogue box will appear to let you know if your upload was successful. Follow any advice provided. If you are unable to upload, contact the Measurement Services Division for assistance.

If successful, you can view or download your uploaded data to confirm.

For Grade Twelve:

Repeat the same steps outlined above for the Grade Twelve nomination template.

Step Four: Uploading Internal Marks Templates

For Grade Nine and Eleven Internal Marks:

• Log in to the SDCS home page and select Grade Ten for Grade Nine marks or Grade Twelve for Grade Eleven marks.
• Click on "Internal Marks Entry (Out of Four Hundred)" and then "Download Format".
• Fill in the required filters and click to download the file.
• Switch off your internet connection, rename the downloaded Excel file (for example, "Grade Nine Internal Marks Buang High School 2023"), and start populating it.
• The file will automatically include student names and other details based on your earlier nomination upload. You only need to type or copy-paste the students’ marks into the appropriate columns.
• Once completed, save the file.
• Reconnect to the internet and go back into the SDCS app. Navigate to the same marks entry section, click "Upload Data", and follow the steps to select and upload your file.
• You will receive confirmation if the upload was successful. If it fails, follow the advice shown or contact the Measurement Services Division for help.
• To view your uploaded data, click on "View Data", complete the filter field, and click "Search". You may also click "Export Report" to download a copy of what you uploaded.

For Grade Ten and Twelve Internal Marks, Work Experience, and Science Practical:

Follow the same steps above for downloading, filling in, and uploading these additional templates.

Step Five: Uploading Grade Twelve Markers Nomination

To upload the Grade Twelve subject markers nomination:

1. Go to the "Administration" tab and select "Add Teacher".
2. Enter the teacher’s details, but do not fill in bank details. Leave them blank. Click "Save".
3. Next, go to the "Grade Twelve" tab and click on "Grade Twelve Subject Nomination Input".
4. Fill in the filter field and search.
5. Enter the number of students per subject and select the teacher’s name from the list.
6. The teacher’s name will only appear if you already added their details in the previous step.
7. Click "Submit" to complete the process.

Step Six: Communicating with the Measurement Services Division

To view messages from the Measurement Services Division:

1. Click on the "Administration" tab and choose "Notification from MSD".
2. To send a message to the Measurement Services Division:
3. Go to "Administration", click on "Contact MSD", fill in the filter field, upload your file or attachment, and click "Save".

Step Seven: Accessing Reference Materials

1. Under the "View Reference" section, you can access important documents such as:
2. Past exam marking keys
3. The SDCS Operating Manual
4. Reports and other helpful resources

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