All is now set for the conduct of the 2018/2019 FCT Annual School Census (ASC) exercise as the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa flagged off the exercise on Thursday, 4th July, 2019 at Government Secondary School Wuse, Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja. In his address, Sir Ohaa, said the Flag off is to let every education stakeholder in the FCT be aware that the 2018/2019 ASC exercise in FCT has started. All Concerned must therefore co-operate and provide accurate, valid and reliable data on time.
The Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa making his remarks at the flag off ceremony
The Permanent Secretary called on every School Head or Principal including those of the Military, Paramilitary, Federal Unity Colleges and Private Schools to provide facts and information on the learners, teachers, structures, facilities, programs and activities of their schools. He said they should particularly ensure that every child is counted and reported on. The data are for policy formulation, decision making and planning for individual and societal development. School data will not be used to levy charges on school owners. He therefore charged school heads not to falsify data since it carries heavy penalty and falsification of data leads to bad planning.
From left: FCTA Permanent Secretary, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Director, Dept. of Policy, Planning, Research & Statistics, Dr. Idakwoji Sunday Bene and Deputy Director Admin & Finance, FCT Education Secretariat, Mall. Abdulrazaq Leramoh
Sir Ohaa further stated that FCT Administration has embraced the challenges of ASC and has deployed resources for e- education, Education Management Information System (EMIS) and ICT-personnel for gathering and processing the data and in a few weeks from now, the actual exercise would be on in most parts of every Area Council. He adjured every stakeholder to fully cooperate with the staff of the Department of Policy, Planning, Research and Statistics (DPPR&S), FCT Education Secretariat to make this year's FCT level ASC fully accurate, reliable and on time.
Director DPPRS, Dr. Idakwoji S. B. leads the Permanent Secretary to inspect the ASC Materials & Facilities while the newly appointed Director, DPPR&S Dr. Mohammed Sani Ladan looks on
The Permanent Secretary also unveiled the Annual School Census Training Manual, the instruments for all the levels, Manual for School Records Keeping in Nigeria and EMIS Data Register, where he acknowledged the support of the development partners. He also inspected the DPPR&S data processing facilities. He was conducted through these by Dr. Idakwoji Sunday Bene the Director, DPPR&S.
Cross section of participants at the flag off ceremony
Cross section of participants
Earlier on, the Ag. Secretary for Education/Director Admin. & Finance, FCT Education Secretariat, Alhaji Umar A. Marafa in his Welcome Address read by the Deputy Director Admin. Mall. Abdulrazaq Leramoh said the Annual School Census is an important nationwide activity for collecting relevant, reliable and timely data from all schools in order to ensure proper planning, monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the system for effective management of education in FCT and in Nigeria. He said this year’s ASC exercise was flagged of by the Hon. Minister of Education in March, 2019 at the National Level and all the 36 States and FCT were subsequently requested to flag-off the exercise in their respective states so as to achieve a simultaneous and integrated outcome.
Deputy Director Admin. FCT Education Secretariat Mall. Abdulrazaq Leramoh presenting the Welcome Address of The Ag. Secretary for Education/Director Admin. & Finance FCT Education Secretariat, Alh. Umar A. Marafa
Alhaji Marafa used the opportunity to thank UNICEF in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education for providing the ASC instruments, manual and handbook for Pre-Primary and Primary, Junior Secondary, Senior Secondary Education, Science and Vocational Colleges and Private Schools.
GSS Wuse Yoruba cultural troupe entertaining the guests
GSS Wuse Igbo cultural troupe entertaining the guests
Goodwill message from FCT ANCOPSS Secretary, Mr. Okpeye Samuel on behalf of the ANCOPSS president was presented, he promised that the Association will support and contribute their quota to make sure that every child must be counted in this year's annual school census.
GSS Wuse drama team making their presentation on “Making Every Child Count” at the event
The event was marked by welcome song, cultural dances and drama presented by students of Government Secondary School Wuse, Zone 3, Abuja to drive down the message of the flag off of ASC exercise. The Permanent Secretary commended the performance of the students, teachers and the Principal of the school for a wonderful performance. He said he was very proud of the school and encouraged them to continue to put in their best in carrying out their duties. Among the dignitaries at the occasion were the Royal Father, Etsu of Kwali, Alhaji Shaban Nizazo, the Directors of the FCT Education Secretariat Boards and Departments, Members of ANCOPSS, AOPSHON, NAPPS and Students.
Reported by:
Musa Paul N.
Deputy Director (ICT)
DPPR&S, FCT Education Secretariat
Musa Paul N.
Deputy Director (ICT)
DPPR&S, FCT Education Secretariat