The first Lady Mrs Janet Museveni who also doubles as the Minister of Education and Sports yesterday launched the first ever baseline Census Education across all educational institutions in Uganda.
The launch took place at Nile Hotel in Jinja. According to First lady ,the Census in all education learning centers both private and government owned will be conducted by Uganda Bureau of Statistics. (UBOS) An institution that is vetted with powers to conduct all Censuses of all forms in Uganda.
“Iam glad to inform that the challenge of unreliable education sector statistics will soon be solved,” Says Education Minister Maama Janet Museveni during the launch.
She says that the Census will begin in Kampala Metropolitan Area. “Upon completion of Kampala Metropolitan Area,the exercise will then be rolled Country wide,” She says.
“I urge all Heads of Education institutions and local Government Authorities to support and Cooperate with UBOS enumerators to ensure a successful exercise,” Sounds First lady Janet Museveni.
In recent interview with UBOS Boss Dr Chris Mukiza,he said the Bureau will conduct a comprehsive census education country wide starting on April 7.
“The baseline Census Education will cover all learning institutions both private and government owned,” he said adding that it will start from Pre- primary up to University.
He further revealed that that the project intends to collect data from learners,teachers and school facilities to enable easy planning and decision making in the education sector.
” The major focus will include bio-data, institution, ownership,teaching and non teaching staffs, learning materials among others,” Dr Mukiza revealed during an interview adding that the bio- data on learners will be very important in knowing learners demographic in Uganda.
“During Census, we shall also establish the qualifications of both teaching and non teaching staffs and it will help the government to identify areas with shortages and how to improve,” Says UBOS Boss adding it will also help government in decision making on how to recruit staffs. He also said the Education Census will help government on how to distribute and allocate resources in education sector.
“I call upon all Heads of Education institutions, parents to support the exercise by giving the correct data on learners such correct date of birth, NIN numbers among others,” he said.
Didacus Okoth, the head of Communications at UBOS when contacted says, the Bureau is currently training the trainers who will conduct the first ever baseline Census Education.
” We must ensure, we get the right persons who do the right job. The statistics will help government in distribution of resources depending on the need and will also help decision making,” he said adding that it will also be digital in nature.
