As Uganda prepares for the 2025 National Education Census, officials and enumerators have been briefed on what to do when they arrive at a school or institution and the head is not available.
According to new guidance from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), enumerators should not abandon their visit if the head teacher, principal, or institution head is unavailable. Instead, they are instructed to seek out the individual left in charge, who should be able to provide the necessary information for the census.
“In every institution, if the head is absent, someone is delegated to act on their behalf. This could be a deputy head teacher, director of studies, university secretary, registrar, or academic registrar,” said a UBOS spokesperson. “Enumerators should engage with the acting authority to ensure data collection proceeds.”
However, in cases where the acting head cannot provide all the required details during the initial visit, enumerators are advised to schedule a follow-up. They should inquire about the best time to return or collect a contact number to arrange an appointment. Due to tight timelines and a structured enumeration schedule, census officials are encouraged to make every effort to complete their interviews during the first visit whenever possible.
The 2025 Education Census aims to comprehensively assess Uganda’s education sector, capturing data from pre-primary to tertiary institutions, including those in unconventional learning environments such as under trees, hospital halls, and religious settings offering formal education.
“The census is critical for policy formulation and planning in the education sector,” said the spokesperson. “We urge school administrators to cooperate fully, whether or not the head is present.”
This year’s census will also cover special needs institutions and clarify school status, ownership, and registration details. Enumerators have been trained to handle various scenarios in the field, including how to secure respondent consent, manage questionnaire protocols, and follow up professionally and ethically.
The exercise is expected to provide reliable data that will support Uganda’s goal of inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
