When Cayman’s National Hero and first Speaker of the House the Hon. Sybil McLaughlin, MBE, JP, met with George Hicks High School students this week, the national census took centre stage.
As the official spokesperson for Census 2010, Mrs. McLaughlin was present during a Statistics Week exercise conducted by Economics and Statistics Office (ESO) staff. Taking part were Year Nine pupils from the Pace, New Horizons and Heritage high schools.
The exercise demonstrated how census questionnaires are administered, replicating the process that enumerators will follow when the Islands’ official population count begins later this year. Preparing the way, Statistics Week activities are zooming in on the topic. Emphasising the importance of accurate statistics to both government and private sectors to enable effective future planning, Mrs. McLaughlin urged the teens to encourage their parents’ full participation when the census begins in October.
She also explained the confidential nature of the fact-gathering exercise, underscoring why persons should feel comfortable when providing the information that will be sought.
Prior to the school exercise, Mrs. McLaughlin and ESO Director Maria Zingapan appeared on Cayman27’s Daybreak to showcase Statistics Week activities. “The census is coming. Be sure to be counted,” was Mrs. McLaughlin’s advice to Cayman’s residents.
Statistics Week kicked off with a thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church last Sunday. The week’s agenda includes similar exercises by ESO staff at most government and private high schools on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac as well as at the University College of the Cayman Islands.
Mrs. McLaughlin and Ms. Zingapan, together with ESO Deputy Director Elizabeth Talbert and ESO staff Shanna Saunders , will also be guests on Radio Cayman’s Talk Today this Wednesday, starting at 1 pm.
