National Census to begin June 13, says Chief Statistician

A few minor hiccups and setbacks aside, things are falling into place for the 2011 national census.{{more}}

Chief Statistician Gatlin Roberts, speaking exclusively to Searchlight on Monday, May 9, said that all will be set when the census begins in earnest on June 13.

She said that some of the preparatory work has not gone as smoothly as the she had anticipated, but despite this, the statistical office is still on track for the enumeration process.

“….With just about anything, there are always obstacles and hindrances that we have to overcome, and so we are working these through, but in terms of our training and the different activities related to that, those are on track.”

“The only thing that may affect us somewhat is the delivery of the questionnaires, because these are being printed overseas… We do not yet have those questionnaires with us, but hopefully they will be here for the beginning of the data collection process.”

Roberts was part of a one week trainer of trainers’ workshop which was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room.

The workshop, which involved the persons responsible for conducting the educational sessions in the various census divisions, was facilitated by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) representative Sandra Paredez, and will be followed by the training of enumerators and supervisors, begining May 23.

Roberts indicated that exercises to heighten the awareness of the impending census are expected to pick up momentum in the upcoming weeks, and made an appeal for Vincentians to play their part when the actual event rolls around.

“Following this week, we are scheduling school visits so we could interact with the children, because we know a lot of times children have a lot of influence on their parents… who may not necessarily want to be a part of the process.”

“We also are going to be putting up posters and flyers in the various business houses, as long as they consent to do. We also will have billboards in some rural communities, and we are going to have radio discussions and television skits.”

“The exercise will only be successful if we have the participation of all… it is not just for us or the government; it is for all and sundry: locals, regional persons, international organizations.”

Roberts added that the census exercise needs to be looked at as a national exercise designed to include and aid every Vincentian in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.