THE Bureau of Statistics, on Monday, commenced two weeks of intense training for 54 persons from all regions of Guyana who will function as Area Coordinators during the upcoming 2022 Population and Housing Census.

According to Bureau of Statistics Public Relations Officer, Chriseana Ramrekha, following their training, these temporary staff, with the supervision of Bureau personnel, will return to their respective regions to train the Supervisors for the national exercise. A training of trainers approach will be utilised, with the Supervisors then being integrally involved in the training of Enumerators.

She noted that, even as the training of Area Coordinators is underway at the Bureau’s Head Office in Georgetown, the screening of applicants from across all regions for the Supervisor and Enumerator positions is ongoing.

Chief Statistician, Errol La Cruez, in his address to the Area Coordinators, stressed the critical role they will play in ensuring the success of the vast exercise, which is planned for commencement in mid September.

He explained that the Census, Guyana’s most extensive data collection exercise, provides an accurate population count and other critical information on its demographics, including gender, age structure, educational attainment, and fertility.

This information is in high demand by many persons, including policymakers, the private sector, and students.

The Census is conducted every ten years, with Guyana’s last Census being conducted in 2012. Therefore, he emphasised the need for accurate, unbiased, reliable, timely, and quality information which will guide decision-making for the country’s development over the next ten years.

The Chief Statistician pointed out that data was as valuable, if not more valuable, than gold, and that the Census, an incredible undertaking, will see every occupied community in Guyana being visited.

Guyana’s population count in 2012 stood at 746,955, a decline from the previous census in 2002 which saw a count of 751,223.

According to the Chief Statistician, having an accurate count is essential since this baseline data will be utilised over the next ten years.

He added that, in a world that is becoming more data-conscious, the importance of the data was increasing, and its use will expand in the months and years to come.

He encouraged the Area Coordinators to ensure that the Census Personnel under their supervision understand the importance of the Census and the value of the data which it will produce.