By Laraba Usman, Gombe
The Gombe State Government is adopting a technology data-driven approach to improve education planning and resource management as preparations intensify for the 2024/2025 Annual School Census.
Mallam Abdulmumuni Umar, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Gombe State Ministry of Education, stated this while speaking with newsmen during the opening ceremony of the training for census enumerators.
He said the census marks a significant shift towards evidence-based decision-making in the education sector.
“As part of this effort, 360 enumerators are undergoing a four-day digital training facilitated by 36 expert trainers from the Ministry of Education and its partners.
“We are moving from paper-based surveys to fully digital systems that ensure accuracy, transparency, and real-time tracking of data.
“This will help us understand where our schools stand and what they truly need,” Umar explained.
He noted that the census, mandated by the Federal Ministry of Education, will cover all public schools across Gombe State — 155 senior secondary, 338 junior secondary, and 176 primary schools, each identified by a unique digital code.
According to Umar, the data gathered will serve as the foundation for strategic decisions on school infrastructure, staffing, and enrolment management.
He added that the training exercise is expected to conclude this week, after which enumerators will embark on a 14-day field data collection exercise across all local government areas of the state.
Umar emphasised that the 2024/2025 census builds on the success of last year’s exercise, conducted with support from the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, and will be even more comprehensive.
Dr Gambo Aliyu, Permanent Member of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said the government is prioritising technology and accuracy in this year’s census, noting that the budget for the exercise has tripled compared to previous years.
“This census is not just about counting students; it’s about understanding the state of our education system — from classrooms and furniture to teacher distribution.
“The insights we gain will directly inform policy and funding priorities,” Aliyu stated.
He added that the use of two advanced platforms; the Basic Education Management Information System (BEMIS) and the District Health Information System (DHIS), would ensure data precision and integration with national databases.