As the official spokesperson for Census 2010, Mrs. Sybil McLaughlin was present during a Statistics Week exercise conducted by Economics and Statistics Office 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.

Emphasising the importance of accurate statistics to both government and private sector is hoped to enable future planning and Mrs. McLaughlin urged the teens to encourage their parents’ full participation when the census gets underway in October.

She also explained the confidential nature of the census and underscored why people should feel comfortable giving the information being asked for.

Prior to the school exercise, Mrs. McLaughlin and Statistics Office Director Maria Zingapan appeared on Cayman 27’s Daybreak talk show to highlight the 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.