Censored Census

A population census is done every few years to determine the country's demographic pattern and to assist the existing government in planning the development of the country to benefit its people of all ages. A census done properly throughout the country will bring good to the people of the country through proper planning to improve the people's lives.

Unfortunately, a census that is done half-heartedly does not bring any good to the people. Not only it is a waste of everyone's time, worse of all, it also wastes taxpayers' money. According to one of the taxpayers, where is the KPI?

When I first received the census form from the enumerator, I wholeheartedly filled out all the information and handed it back to him. It was a long-drawn and boring process, but I did it in full belief that the information will be made to good use. However, I felt so cheated when I heard of all the news surrounding the current census. I did not know why I bother to fill in the information in the first place.

Was there inadequate planning for the census to be carried out in a thorough manner? Or is it the lackadaisical attitude of the enumerators that cause the census' information to be accurate? There are complaints of people waiting at home whole day till the end of the census period, but no enumerators show up. A phone call to the census centre is met with answering machine. Enumerators who showed up at the doorstep did not make the effort to ask all the questions in the census form. Mostly asked three or four questions and attempt to fill up the rest of the form on their own. Some of the just stick the yellow cardboard on residents' door without performing the censues. So, where is the authenticity of the answer submitted to the government then?

It does not help that part of the census is done during the fasting month where everything and everyone is moving slower by 50%. Of course, not all blame can be pushed to the government department. The enumerators are part-timers who may not put their whole heart into the job. Some of the even quit halfway, forcing the supervisors to perform the census themselves.

And to think that those who complain are people who hope that the information given will help the government to properly plan for the development of the country. What happen to the rest of our countrymen? They not only do not want to cooperate in the census for fear the government trying to get more information that they bargain for. Some even ask their dogs to chase away the enumerators.

Hmm, I wonder how the government will proceed to analyse the census data. At the end of the day, future country development will depend on the census information available. Can we blame the elected few if the development does not reflect the demographic pattern of the country? Or we only have ourselves to blame?

Good luck to the planners!