Teachers take part in census

By ALISON ANIS
More than 37,000 people are expected to take part in the national population census starting next Monday, National Statistician Joseph Aka says.
“Half these people (about 18,000) will include teachers from schools throughout the country who have expressed their interest in participating in this important national event,” he said
Aka said the teachers would act mostly as supervisors during the enumeration process, while some would be interviewers.
“We have about 32,000 units or villages that will be covered during the counting and have trained more than 32,000 interviewers and supervisors,” he said.
“Altogether, we are expecting up to 37,000 people participating in the enumeration.”
Teaching Service Commission chairman Jerry Kuhena said a circular signed by himself and secretary for Education Dr Joseph Pagelio was sent to selected schools in the country for the release of teachers wishing to participate in the enumeration.
“We have instructed the teachers through the circular on what to expect during the census,” he said.
“The NSO has written to us asking for the release of some of the teachers to participate in the counting and we have responded.”
Kuhena said because the census would be conducted during school holidays, the teachers were entitled to receive money from the NSO for their services.
Aka said the final phase of the training for enumeration officers was being conducted this week to prepare officers for Monday’s national body count.