Acholi leaders urge timely school return for education census

GULU - Acholi leaders are urging parents to actively support the upcoming Baseline Education Census by ensuring that their children report to school promptly for the second term.

The census, to be conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, aims to determine the number of learners in the country as well as the total number of government-aided and private institutions.

Fiona Atim, the Inspector of Schools in Gulu city, revealed that most parents and guardians typically delay sending their children back to school until a week or two after the term has started.

She, however, appealed to them to prioritise the exercise so that their children's biodata can be entered into the system.

Janan Lakony, the senior education officer for Gulu district, assured UBOS officials of the region’s full support in ensuring the success of the census in the Acholi Sub-region.

“This exercise will be a physical headcount, and so learners should return early to school, because once an enumerator reaches your school when you are absent, you will be marked absent,” he said.

Sarah Apiyo, the statistician for Gulu city, who represented the city clerk, appealed to all stakeholders to embrace the exercise, noting that the data collected would be instrumental for resource mobilisation and proper planning.

Gulu city mayor Alfred Okwonga advocated for the census to be conducted a month after schools reopen, stating that this would ensure more accurate data since most learners would have reported by then.

“If the Baseline Education Census is intended to be successful, then it should be conducted a month when schools reopen; otherwise, the data will be inaccurate,” he said.

Nancy Anyango, the senior public relations officer, stated that the census is being conducted in line with the agency’s mandate under the 1998 Statistics Act, which designates UBOS as the official agency for collecting, analysing and disseminating statistics used for national planning.

“All schools will be enumerated—from kindergarten to universities—to establish the number of learning institutions we have. It is the first time we are conducting this kind of census, and the Ministry of Education awaits the data because it's going to help them understand where the sector stands,” she said.

According to Anyango, over 8,000 enumerators have been recruited and trained to carry out the exercise when the second term begins.

What are the requirements?

For learners, according to Anyango, the following will be required: learner’s name, date of birth, sex, nationality, Learner’s Information Number (LIN), National Identification Number (NIN) for those who have one, Refugee ID for refugee children, and any special needs status.

For teaching staff, the census will record names, date of birth, sex, nationality, NIN, work permit, refugee ID status, subjects taught, Teacher Management Information System Number, highest teaching qualification, and highest level of education.

For non-teaching staff such as cooks, cleaners, matrons, security guards, and administrators, the system will collect their name, date of birth, sex, nationality, job title, and identification documents.

Learning institutions are required to provide their Education Management Information System (EMIS) number.