91�鶹������Ʒ����

Access to Information can be defined as the right to seek, receive and impart information held by public bodies. It is an integral part of the fundamental right of freedom of expression, as recognized by Article 19 of the  (1948), which states that the fundamental right of freedom of expression encompasses the freedom to “to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

135

UN Member States have adopted

constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information

11 countries

adopted Access to Information laws since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda

123 countries

participated in 2022 in the UNESCO Survey on SDG 16.10.2

24 countries

reported on good practices in promoting gender equality in access to information

The proactive publication of information by the Ministries is important for ensuring transparency, accountability, and public participation in matters related to public health and education within the new Access to Information Law. To achieve this goal, many countries have developed standards for the proactive publication of information by government agencies. 

Government agencies may establish a system for the proactive disclosure of information, which includes the following elements:

• A clear policy on proactive disclosure outlines what information will be published and how frequently it will be updated.
• An inventory of information that should be disclosed proactively, which includes both legal requirements and other relevant information that may be of public interest.
• A mechanism for publishing information, which may include a dedicated website, a portal, or other channels that are accessible to the public.
• A process for identifying and addressing sensitive information, such as personal data or national security information, which may not be appropriate for proactive disclosure.
• A system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of proactive disclosure, which includes regular assessments of the quality, relevance, and accessibility of published information.

The general model list of information on proactive disclosure according to

• Budget documents
• Annual Ministry reports, including accounts
• Audit reports
• All government policy reports
• Commercial contracts over a stipulated threshold
• List of public servants and their salaries
• Administrative data sets Information describing the types of records systems and their contents and uses
• Information on internal procedures, manuals, and guidelines
• Description of the structure and function of government institutions
• Annual report on freedom of information law
• Freedom of information procedural information

In addition, there may be other international or national standards for the proactive disclosure of information by the Ministries, depending on the specific context and requirements of each country.

An example inventory of public health information that should be disclosed proactively (for discussion)

• Outbreaks: Information about outbreaks of infectious diseases such as the name of the disease, the number of cases, and the location of the outbreak should be disclosed proactively to enable the public to take necessary precautions to prevent further spread.
• Vaccines: Information about vaccines such as their efficacy, side effects, and availability should be disclosed proactively to help people make informed decisions about their health and reduce vaccine hesitancy.
• Health advisories: Information about potential health risks such as contaminated food, air pollution, or natural disasters should be disclosed proactively to help people take preventive measures.
• Emergency response plans: Information about emergency response plans for public health crises such as pandemics, natural disasters, or bioterrorism should be disclosed proactively to ensure preparedness and coordination among stakeholders.
• Health statistics: Information about health statistics such as morbidity and mortality rates, disease prevalence, and health disparities should be disclosed proactively to help policymakers and researchers identify public health priorities and allocate resources accordingly.
• Clinical trial results: Information about clinical trial results for drugs, vaccines, and medical devices should be disclosed proactively to ensure transparency and enable evidence-based decision-making.
• Environmental health hazards: Information about environmental health hazards such as toxic chemicals, lead contamination, or unsafe drinking water should be disclosed proactively to protect public health and prevent exposure to harmful substances.
• Health regulations and policies: Information about health regulations and policies such as food safety standards, workplace safety regulations, and healthcare laws should be disclosed proactively to ensure compliance and accountability.
• Disease surveillance data: Information about disease surveillance data such as the incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases should be disclosed proactively to help public health officials identify trends and respond to outbreaks quickly.

The Ministry of Education plays a critical role in ensuring access to quality education and providing support to schools, teachers, and students. To ensure transparency and accountability, here are some examples of the types of information that the Ministry of Education should disclose proactively:

• Education policies: The Ministry of Education should make available its policies on issues such as curriculum, assessment, teacher training, and funding allocation.
• Budget information: The Ministry of Education should disclose its budget information, including how funds are allocated to schools and educational programs, as well as any sources of funding.
• School data: The Ministry of Education should provide data on the number of schools, enrollment numbers, and demographic information on students and teachers. This information can help identify areas where additional resources or support may be needed.
• Educational licensing:  The Ministry of Education should make available information on the licensing of learning materials to ensure clarity on those that are Open Educational Resources (OER) and therefore released in the public domain or under an open license permitting no-cost access, re-use, re-purposing, adaptation, and re-distribution by others. 
• Teacher qualifications: The Ministry of Education should provide information on the qualifications of teachers, including their education and professional experience.
• Professional development opportunities: The Ministry of Education should disclose information on the professional development opportunities available to teachers, including training programs, conferences, and workshops.
• Student achievement data: The Ministry of Education should provide data on student achievement, including test scores and graduation rates, broken down by demographic groups. This information can help identify areas where additional support may be needed to improve outcomes for all students
• School safety information: The Ministry of Education should disclose information on school safety, including policies and procedures for addressing safety concerns and any incidents of violence or bullying.
• Special education services: The Ministry of Education should provide information on special education services available to students with disabilities, including accommodations and support services.
• Technology initiatives: The Ministry of Education should disclose information on technology initiatives, including the availability of technology in schools, training programs for teachers, and technology-based curriculum materials.
• Partnerships and collaborations: The Ministry of Education should provide information on partnerships and collaborations with other government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations to improve educational outcomes and support students.