The Chairman of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has revealed the critical role of accurate data in basic education, noting that data-driven planning remains essential for effective development in the sector.

Ifede made this known during a 2-day training organised by SUBEB, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), for Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) on the BESDA Application Monitoring Information System (BAMIS), at Imo Methodist Primary School, Oke-Yeke, Abeokuta.

The SUBEB boss stressed that modern planning is technology-driven, especially within the basic education system.

“UBEC officials came to train 30 participants, and these trainers will now spread across the State. The training is taking place in four divisions of the State. The trainees will go to all schools to cascade the training. I want you to use this opportunity very well. The tablets given to you are for data collection and not for anything else,” he said.

He urged participants to take the exercise seriously and practise the skills gained independently after the training, adding that, proper data collection remained vital for sound policy implementation.

“If you collect wrong data, it will give us wrong information and those who rely on the data for policy decisions may implement wrong policies,” he added.

Also speaking, the Board Secretary, Mr. Olubori Akinleye, explained that the purpose of the training was to ensure effective management of school attendance, noting that all necessary tools had been provided by the Government. He charged participants to give their best and be prepared to cascade the training in their various zones.

Lending her voice, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, SUBEB, Mrs. Oluwakemi Asenuga, stated that the BAMIS application was designed not only to capture data but also to monitor school activities. She added that it would enable SUBEB to have real-time insights into what is happening across the 20 local government areas of the State.

One of the facilitators from the Egba Zone, Dr. Semiu Adeniran, said the trainers were exposed to the features and benefits of (BAMIS), noting that the application would support teachers in public primary schools by enabling them to add students, register schools, mark attendance and upload teachers information.

Meanwhile, the SUBEB Chairman, Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, has also commended the management of PUNCH Newspaper for its quality service delivery.

He made the remark during a courtesy visit by the organisation to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, assuring that the board would continue to maintain a cordial working relationship with the media outfit.

He urged the organisation to prioritise corporate social responsibility (CSR) as part of its efforts to give back to the State, encouraging them to support the improvement of public primary schools to enhance learning and teaching conditions.

In her response, the Advert Manager, PUNCH Newspaper, Mrs. Kemi Ogungbemi, appreciated the board for its continued patronage and pledged that the organisation would continue to fulfil its civic responsibilities, including, supporting the State government and giving back to the society.