The Ministry of Education in Uganda has directed all educational institutions across the country to temporarily halt their operations to facilitate the upcoming national population census. Scheduled from May 9 to May 20, this significant exercise aims to gather vital demographic data for governmental planning and policy implementation.
Dr. Jane Egau Okou, representing the Ministry’s higher, technical, vocational education, and training directorate, issued a letter on November 8, 2023, instructing school heads and university vice chancellors to ensure all learners are at home during the census period. This directive underscores the importance of achieving a comprehensive headcount, with the census night designated from May 9 to 10 and field enumeration occurring between May 10 and 20.
Prominent educational leaders, including Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe of Makerere University and Prof. Eli Katunguka of Kyambogo University, have confirmed receipt of the ministry’s directive. While Nawangwe has pledged to adjust the university’s semester schedule accordingly, Katunguka faces challenges due to the timing of the census overlapping with end-of-semester examinations at Kyambogo University.
Katunguka, who also chairs the National Council for Higher Education and the public universities vice chancellors forum, sought the opinion of these bodies for a viable way forward, though he has yet to receive a response. Despite the scheduling conflicts, there is a consensus among educational leaders that government plans cannot be opposed, highlighting the collective effort to prioritize the census.
The late dissemination of the directive, reaching some institutions in February despite its November issuance, has prompted concerns about planning and scheduling within the education sector. The census, led by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), aims to inform the implementation of critical initiatives, including the electoral roadmaps, the Parish Development Model (PDM), and the National Development Plans (NDPS).
The Ministry of Education, under the stewardship of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Janet Museveni, along with other stakeholders, emphasizes the significance of the census data in national development efforts. However, the mixed reception and logistical challenges underscore the need for efficient communication and coordination between government bodies and educational institutions to ensure a smooth and successful census operation.
