By Usman Ahmed Shehu
As part of efforts to complement the implementation of the Government Reform and Sustainable Procurement (GRESP) programme, Connected Development (CODE), a non-governmental organization funded by the Malala Fund, has organized a capacity-building training on data analysis for members of the School Monitoring Teams (SMTs) in Bauchi State.
The training brought together School Monitoring Teams from the four catchment Local Government Areas of Alkaleri, Bauchi, Ningi and Zaki to strengthen their capacity in collecting, analyzing and interpreting data for effective monitoring of education projects and public expenditure.
Speaking during the training, CODE’s Data Analyst, Muhammed Gimba, said the exercise was aimed at equipping the School Monitoring Teams with the requisite knowledge and practical skills to track government budgets in line with the Follow The Money manifesto of Connected Development.
He explained that the training would enable the teams to generate credible evidence for advocacy, monitor budget implementation and promote efficiency, transparency and accountability in the execution of projects under the GRESP programme.
According to Gimba, data-driven monitoring is essential in ensuring that public resources allocated to the education sector are judiciously utilized and that communities actively participate in demanding accountability from duty bearers.
He emphasized that strengthening the analytical capacity of the School Monitoring Teams would enhance their ability to identify implementation gaps, document findings and engage relevant stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations capable of improving service delivery.
Participants were exposed to practical sessions on data collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting, with emphasis on using reliable data to support advocacy and community engagement.
The participants commended Connected Development (CODE) for the initiative, describing the training as timely and impactful. They pledged to apply the knowledge acquired in monitoring government interventions and promoting accountability within their respective communities.
Connected Development (CODE) is a non-governmental organization committed to promoting transparency, accountability and citizen participation in governance. With support from the Malala Fund, the organization continues to empower communities through capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education and ensuring that public resources deliver meaningful impact.
A cross section of participants at the programme
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