UTILISING DISTRIBUTED LEDGER TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSPARENT DATA MANAGEMENT IN EDUCATION.

Abstract

In an era where educational credentials are increasingly scrutinised and academic fraud undermines institutional credibility, distributed ledger technology (DLT) emerges as a transformative solution for educational data management. This comprehensive research explores how blockchain-based systems can revolutionise the way educational institutions create, store, verify, and share academic records, credentials, and institutional data. Through systematic analysis of current literature, emerging trends, and real-world implementations, this study demonstrates how DLT addresses fundamental challenges in education while creating unprecedented opportunities for transparency, security, and global accessibility. Investigation reveals that traditional centralised systems for managing educational data suffer from critical vulnerabilities including fraud susceptibility, verification delays, limited transparency, and administrative inefficiencies that DLT systems can effectively address. The research examines multiple applications of distributed ledger technology in educational contexts, from tamper-proof digital credentials and student-controlled academic records to collaborative research data management and automated verification processes. The findings indicate that while DLT implementation presents significant technical, organizational, and regulatory challenges, the long-term benefits substantially outweigh the costs. Institutions implementing blockchain-based systems can expect substantial reductions in administrative overhead, enhanced data integrity, improved stakeholder trust, and global accessibility of verified academic records. The study presents a practical four-phase implementation framework spanning assessment and planning through full institutional integration, providing actionable guidance for educational leaders considering DLT adoption. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding technology-enhanced education administration by offering both theoretical insights and practical recommendations for successful DLT implementation. The implications extend beyond individual institutions to encompass a vision of interconnected, transparent educational ecosystems that better serve students, employers, and society as a whole. As educational institutions worldwide grapple with demands for greater accountability and efficiency, this study provides a roadmap for leveraging distributed ledger technology to create more trustworthy, accessible, and student-centered educational systems.