The Central Statistical Office (CSO) will begin undertaking some preliminary activities this week, ahead of the official start of census activities on 10 November 2021.
These activities will include familiarising field staff with enumeration district boundaries and a refresher training to ensure a comprehensive understanding of census methodology, key concepts, and definitions, and use of the tablet devices and the electronic platform.
From 10 November to 16 January 2022, the census will comprise mainly a listing activity, which to collect basic information, including telephone numbers from households. This will facilitate the full interview which will be administered via the telephone from 17 January, the new census reference date. The CSO advises that some full interviews may be conducted during the listing period and assures the public that in such instances, the Covid-19 protocols for census enumeration will be adhered to.
However, telephone interviews are the preferred method to ensure as much as possible, a contactless census, given the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to minimise face-to-face contact.
The CSO solicits the full cooperation of the general public in providing enumerators with their phone number and the basic information required at the initial visit, and in making themselves available for the interview once contacted by an enumerator.
On average, the census interview is about 45 to 60 minutes. The CSO reminds the public that it is important for everyone in each household to be counted and all their required information captured.
Decision-making is most effective when it is informed by the needs of everyone and as the census slogan states, “Nothing About Us Without Us, Because We All Count.” The accuracy of the census data is the only way the Central Statistical Office can adequately report on the needs of the population. The census is widely recognised as one of the most important national planning instruments for any country, as it produces the statistics necessary for sustainable development.
Meanwhile, the CSO is still accepting applications for enumerators to undertake the census activities. Interested persons can apply on the Central Statistical Office website at stats.gov.gd or using the following google form link https://forms.office.com/r/0VA3kT5dJv.
The deadline for applications is 12 November 2021, following which the successful applicants will be trained. The Central Statistical Office is hopeful that the new cohort of census staff will begin working early in 2022.
GIS
