By Babatunde Ayedoju
The Ondo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the education sector through credible digital data systems and effective educational planning.
The state government said it is expected to attain over 95 percent compliance in data entry across all schools to qualify for critical funding support, grants, technical assistance, and intervention programmes from the World Bank and other international development partners.
According to a statement signed and issued on Tuesday by the Press Officer of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Banjo Egunjobi, the assurance was given by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, during a stakeholders’ meeting on the Digital National Education Management Information System (DNEMIS) data gathering exercise for the HOPE-EDU Programme, held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, Alagbaka, Akure.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Akindele Ige, emphasised the importance of accurate and timely educational data in driving policy formulation, monitoring, evaluation and resource allocation across the state.
He explained that the DNEMIS exercise was designed to capture vital information on schools, enrolment, infrastructure, staffing, facilities, learners, digital readiness and other key indicators required for effective educational planning and national reporting.
Ajibefun further disclosed that the DNEMIS initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the World Bank-supported HOPE-GOV and HOPE-EDU programmes aimed at building a technology-driven and globally competitive education system in Ondo State.
Ajibefun urged all stakeholders to provide maximum support for officials involved in the exercise to ensure seamless and successful data collection, while warning against non-compliance, obstruction, submission of false information or refusal to cooperate with authorised officers, noting that the government would apply appropriate sanctions in line with existing laws and regulations guiding school operations in Ondo State.
In her opening address, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, noted that accurate educational statistics and indicators remain critical for effective planning, policy formulation and the achievement of meaningful learning outcomes in the 21st century.
She described the DNEMIS programme as a major step toward establishing a reliable framework for educational data management in Ondo State.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the “OUR EASE” development agenda of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and complements the educational and technological advancement goals of the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She appreciated the Federal Ministry of Education for creating the DNEMIS platform as a unified system for educational data collection nationwide, while also commending the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), for its continuous support in ensuring timely and accurate educational data across the state.
During his presentation on the HOPE-EDU programme, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, SUBEB, Dr. Ayodele Akanle, noted that the proper capture of learners’ data on the platform would enhance the state’s chances of attracting more international funding and support for educational development.
He stressed that the programme would provide reliable statistics for planning, monitoring and policy formulation, while also ensuring that every learner is properly identified and documented within the education system.
Akanle further warned that any school that fails to capture the details of its learners on the platform may jeopardise future opportunities for such learners, as unregistered learners may not be eligible to participate in national and external examinations across the country.
Also speaking on the DNEMIS programme, the Director of Research and Statistics, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Folajimi Akinjagunla, explained that the successful implementation and migration of the programme would significantly strengthen the education sector through effective data management, improved planning and enhanced accountability.
In his contribution, the State Chairman of the School-Based Community Committee (SBCC), Rev. Nelson Fadoju, stressed the importance of maintaining strict confidentiality and security of learners’ data throughout the DNEMIS exercise.
He advised all stakeholders, including school administrators, data officers and technical personnel, to handle learners’ information with utmost care and professionalism in line with ethical standards and government regulations.