STATIN counting on students in census uptake
Published:Monday | October 17, 2022 | 12:07 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
AMBASSADORS OF the Population and Housing Census were out in the field with their sensitisation programme, rallying citizens through schools and on the street corners in St James about the importance of the data-collection exercise.
The Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) kicked off the 2022 Population and Housing Census on September 12, which will run until December 31, 2022. While Jamaica is celebrating 60 years of Independence, the current census is the country’s 15th since gaining political Independence from England.
STATIN, through its census ambassadors, on Friday visited and engaged students and their teachers at the Mt Alvernia High School in St James on the importance of the census, and urged students to remind their parents of the exercise, noting that they should facilitate census takers when they visit their homes.
Armed with the theme ‘Yuh Count, Mi Count, All A Wi Count’, STATIN took over the streets of Montego Bay, handing out flyers and informing citizens of the main goal of this year’s census.
Andrew Pearson, STATIN area manager with portfolio responsibility for St James Southern, says the overall goal is to improve the quality of life in Jamaica through the provision of relevant, reliable and timely data for development, planning, policy formation and service delivery.
He told The Gleaner that the sensitisation sessions across the parishes is one of the many ways in which STATIN is seeking to encourage citizens to let their voices be heard by participating in the census.
“We’re here to sensitise the public as to what is happening with the census and to encourage each person to participate. We went to Barnett Street, City Centre, Union Street, Overton Plaza, St James Street, and Sam Sharpe Square, engaging the citizens, including students, as they commute,” Pearson told The Gleaner.
The sensitisation session saw several citizens being awarded prizes, after correctly answering questions in relation to the ongoing census. They were also entertained by the STATIN’s census ambassador dancers.
When asked about STATIN’s strategy to engage schoolchildren, Pearson said they are a powerful source who will serve as constant reminders to their parents to participate in the census.
“If the children are aware, they could tell their parents. Yes, we are interviewing adults [in the census], but we are getting the kids at a tender age for them to realise the importance of the census. So targeting the schools is really getting the kids to talk to their parents. In turn, the parents will participate in the census,” Pearson explained.
With approximately two months to go before the census comes to an end, Pearson said the sensitisation sessions will continue next week at Rusea’s High School in Hanover and at The Manning’s School in Westmoreland.