Decision Support System Using Centroidous and CoCoFISo Methods for Analyzing Resource Availability in High Schools

The allocation of educational resources significantly impacts student enrollment and success across different levels of study. This study examines the distribution of human and material resources in Madagascar’s high schools, administered by the Regional Directorates of National Education (DRENs). To address inequities in resource allocation, we propose a systematic evaluation of the 23 DRENs using three contextual approaches: rural, urban, and a hybrid model. We developed a multi-criteria decision support system (MADREN) to assess DRENs annually, incorporating nine criteria: four measuring material resources, three evaluating human resources, and two tracking student success. The Centroidous method was employed to determine criterion weights, while the Combined Compromise for Ideal Solution (CoCoFISo) method ranked the DRENs. Results revealed consistent top performance by the Analamanga DREN across all contexts, while the Ihorombe (urban), Melaky (rural), and hybrid models consistently ranked lowest. The rankings highlight disparities in resource availability, with materially advantaged DRENs outperforming others. Crucially, the study identifies significant inequities in current resource distribution. This research provides policymakers with a data-driven tool to optimize resource allocation, ensuring equitable opportunities for student success across Madagascar’s high schools. The MADREN system offers a replicable framework for evidence-based educational planning in resource-constrained settings.