The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), with support from the World Bank under the RISE Project, has commenced a nationwide capacity-building training for school data collectors in preparation for the 2025/2026 National Annual School Census (ASC).
The initiative, coordinated by the Planning, Policy Analysis, Research and Budgeting Directorate (PPARBD), is designed to enhance the efficiency and credibility of school data management processes.
Participants include EMIS/Planning officers from MoBSE, heads of public, private, and madrassa schools, as well as cluster monitors.
The Annual School Census serves as a cornerstone for educational planning, enabling the Ministry to project instructional material needs, assess infrastructure requirements, and ensure equitable teacher deployment across the country.
During the training, participants were introduced to the DHIS2 education platform, a digital tool aimed at improving accuracy and streamlining data collection.This marks a significant step in MoBSEโs transition from analog to fully digital systems, particularly within public schools.
Speaking at the Old Yundum training centre, Ms. Fatoumatta Jallow, Education Officer at the EMIS/Planning Directorate, underscored the importance of reliable data in shaping education policy. โData remains the foundation for effective planning and policy formulation in the education sector,โ she emphasized.
Ms. Jallow further urged participants to uphold integrity in the data collection process, noting that accurate information is critical for informed decision-making and sustainable educational development.
Similar trainings are being held in different centres across the country.
The training reflects MoBSEโs ongoing commitment to strengthening school-based capacity and ensuring that the forthcoming census provides a credible snapshot of the nationโs education landscape.
As The Gambia moves toward a digital future in education management, the initiative is expected to significantly improve planning outcomes and resource allocation across schools nationwide.
Communications Unit, MoBSE
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