With less than 35 days for the population and housing census which is being conducted by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in the Ministry of Finance, census awareness is picking up momentum within the population. There is a greater sense of urgency to ensure that all mechanisms and procedures are in place for a successful national activity from May 12th.
After weeks of public awareness and mass sensitization about the importance and benefits of the census to nation building, training for the census field staff, which includes enumerators and supervisors will begin on April 18th. Director of Statistics, Mr. Halim Brizan described this phase as very critical for the census. He said we want to ensure that the enumerators are well trained to accurately record the information from the population unto the questionnaire. The training of trainers will begin on Monday 11th April.
Following the training of the 500 plus field staff, they will visit every house-hold in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique for the purpose of collecting information on the characteristics of the population. This process is expected to be completed by June 30th.
There has been an increase in community activities in the promotions of the census. Public Relations personnel have been visiting primary and secondary schools throughout the island to inform students and teachers about the significance of the census. There were visits to civil society and non government organizations to encourage mass participation and support for the census. All religious organizations and denominations are being encouraged to explain to their respective members why they should participate in the census.
The public is being assured that all information submitted will be kept in strict confidence. Any member of staff and or enumerators who divulge confidential information can face prosecution by law. Census is all of us = you + me + the rest ah wee. The theme is COUNT ME IN, so let’s all prepare to participate in the population and housing census, give the enumerators accurate and truthful information.
During the weeks leading up to Census Day (May 12th) more public awareness activities are expected to focus on the towns in the parishes. There will also be increased media activity all in an effort to sensitize the entire population about the conduct of the population and housing census.