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The Census exercise – Field work and the numerous challenges

Oct 18, 2012 Letters

 

Dear Editor,
On the evening of October 15, the Chief Statistical Officer, on television, gave the nation an update on the Census exercise as it is being carried out. One of the few things highlighted by him was that some 200 enumerators quitted as they found the exercise challenging.
As one who is involved in the process in the field I just want to make the following points:
(a) This Census project was planned long before its execution – Census is not new to Guyana, as such planners were expected to include the relevant components and resources for success to be realized.
(b) The success of this Census exercise rests squarely on the shoulders of the field staff – the Enumerators and Supervisors. So, the selection process should have been rigid, and only persons with the required qualifications and qualities should have been selected/employed.
(c) Executing a project of this magnitude without everything in place would surely result in hiccups along the way.
(d) Budget cash flow is an important part of any project – the planners would have known that communication and travel are critical in the execution of this Census project. They knew they had to budget for communication and travel for 13 Regional Census Coordinators, 64 Area Coordinators, 596 Supervisors and 4100 Enumerators.
The Chief Statistical Officer hinted at the challenges of the exercise as though they emanated from the court of the field staff only.
Challenges are numerous. But I am just going to highlight a few:
(a) Some Coastal areas started this Census process 1 – 3 weeks after the designated Census Day; Sept. 15
(b) Enumerators in some areas started the process with incomplete kit – clipboard, eraser etc. not included.
(c) Field Staff have been enduring all manner of humiliation as they conduct this exercise – chased, cursed, closed gate, non-cooperation etc.
(d) Communication and travel is critical for this exercise.
It appears as though this exercise is the field staff (Supervisors and Enumerators) and not the Statistical Bureau’s. Because, since the exercise started, field staff had to be finding money to travel, to communicate, and there has been no reimbursement to replenish what was in some cases borrowed.
With respect to (d) I want the President, the Finance ministers and the public to know, I have this gut feeling that a few smarties within the Bureau want to take folks for a ride. Field Staff want to be reimbursed monies expended (travel & communication) in carrying out this exercise thus far.
Supervisor

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