The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has cautioned school census data collectors against inflating figures as the sector transitions from paper-based to digital data collection.
The warning forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at modernizing educational services under the leadership of Hon. Dr. Habibatou Drammeh.
Ahead of the 2025โ2026 National School Census, MoBSEโsupported by development partnersโhas equipped all public schools with laptops and Virtual Private Network (VPN) routers.
These tools are expected to streamline data collection, enhance security, and improve management efficiency across the sector.
The digital transformation initiative is a cornerstone of the ministryโs broader education reform agenda, which seeks to strengthen accountability, improve resource allocation, and ensure that every childโs learning experience is properly documented.
Speaking at a capacity-building training organized for school managers on digital data collection and processing held at the Regional Education Directorate 1 in Kanifing, Mr. Ousman Saine, System Administrator at MoBSE, reiterated that the success of the census depends on the integrity of data collectors and the responsible use of the new DHIS2 education system.
Mr. Saine noted that , MoBSE, through the Planning, Policy Analysis, Analysis, Research and Budgeting Directorate (PPARBD) under the leadership of Ms. Sohna Foon-Choor, has conducted series of capacity building trainings across the country for public, private and madrassa school managers on digital collection and management of school data..
He however emphasised that monitoring mechanisms are in place to safeguard the process and uphold transparency.
Communications Unit, MoBSE.
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