The government has launched a comprehensive baseline education census, earmarking Shs 27 billion for the exercise aimed at gathering research-based evidence on the state of Uganda’s education sector.
The census began this week in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area covering Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso and will later be rolled out across the country. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the state minister for Primary Education, said the census will cover all learning institutions, both government and private, from pre-primary to higher education, including vocational and technical schools.
Enumerators will collect data using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) technology, commonly referred to as tablets, to ensure data accuracy and timely reporting.
The census will involve direct interaction with learners in schools. From pre-primary to primary five, teachers will assist during the interviews. Learners in primary six and above will be the primary respondents.
Key learner information data points to be collected include the name, date of birth, sex, nationality, class, Learner Identification Number (LIN), National ID/student pass/refugee ID, and any special needs.
For teaching staff, the name, date of birth, subjects taught, TMIS number, qualifications, and ID credentials will be collected.
Non-teaching staff will be required to provide job title, personal details, and ID information while institutional data includes the name, EMIS number, registration status, ownership, level and type of education, UPE/USE status, infrastructure details, GPS location, and contact information.
Facilities assessment: number and condition of classrooms, libraries, labs, sports fields, sanitation facilities, power sources, and learning materials. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) has completed training and deployed enumerators in the initial districts.
Kaducu called on school heads, local authorities, and parents to cooperate with census officials, especially by providing accurate learner data, such as date of birth, LIN, and National Identification Numbers (NIN).
She said this census is critical in shaping the future of education in Uganda and asked all stakeholders to offer their full support.