National Schools Census Data Collection Exercise launched in Nairobi
Economic Planning Principal Secretary James Muhati and Basic Education Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang officially launched the National Schools Census data collection exercise on 23rd May 2024 at Moi Girls’ High School Nairobi.
PS Muhati noted that the exercise being conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) was crucial, the last one having been conducted in 2007.
He further added that data from the census will inform interventions to improve the education system in the country.
Dr. Kipsang said that the data to be collected would go beyond the number of learners in schools to encompass student-book ratios, the state of school infrastructure among other indicators.
“This census seeks to gather accurate and comprehensive data which will help us identify gaps and disparities in the education sector,” Dr. Kipsang added.
KNBS Director General Dr. MacDonald Obudho said that the exercise was timely and would fill the huge data gap left since the last such exercise was done.
He observed that the government would utilize the data to understand where resources are needed the most.
“Education has been the largest recipient of government expenditure reflecting the government commitment to foster equity in education,” Dr. Obudho said while thanking the State Department for Economic Planning, the World Bank, Teachers Service Commission and other agencies whose input led to the success of the exercise.
The event was also attended by KNBS Board of Directors Chairman Stephen Wainaina, Nairobi Regional Director of Education Mrs. Margaret Lesuuda among others.
