National Population and Housing Census 1985

The field organization and operations started immediately after the National Population Census Secretariat was established. The question of manpower for enumeration was the most important item on the agenda. It was recognized that the enumeration would make heavy demands on manpower and it was important to take steps early to ensure that an adequate number of the right type of people were available when needed.

Four main categories of Field Staff were required:-

1. District Census Officers; 2) Field Officers 3) Supervisors and 4) Enumerators

1.3.1.1. District census offices

Before the end of the second quarter of 1985, twelve District Census Officers, one representing each District, a Census Officer and an Assistant for the Western Area had been appointed. The District Census Officer will among other things:

i be responsible under the guidance of the Census Office, for publicity in the district.
ii carry out a preliminary recruitment feasibility exercise for Field Officers, Supervisors and Enumerators in the District as he goes about his census publicity duties.
iii with the help and guidance of the Census Office, recommend for selection and training of Field Officers, Supervisors and Enumerators.
iv with the help and guidance of the Census Office organize and conduct the Census Enumeration in the District.
v be responsible for all census materials, documents and money entrusted to his care.
vi be responsible to the Census Secretariat through the Chief Census Officer for all matters connected with the Census. He was responsible for the efficient conduct of the enumeration within his district.
vii In addition to the above responsibilities he had particular responsibility for carrying out certain checks in the overall Census control. He was also required to submit reports on the enumeration when handing over Census Documents of his district. On completion of enumeration it was his responsibility to make sure that all Field Staff engaged for the census were duly paid, provided all census documents were handed over through their Supervisors to the Field Officers, and was empowered to delegate some of his responsibilities to the Field Officer serving under him.

Besides their academic, professional and administrative attainments, District Census Officers were recruited on the basis of their ability and competence to cope and execute their assignments and duties efficiently. By and large those recruited to fill these vacancies were those who also knew their areas and people very well. They were experienced and mature people with high sense of responsibility and accountability.

1.3.1.2. Field officers and supervisors

The Field Officers were :-

i responsible to the District Census Officer for the efficient conduct of the enumeration within his area in the District.
ii required to assist in the recommendation for recruitment of Supervisors and Enumerators and when requested in the training of those selected.
iii responsible for all census materials, documents and money entrusted to his care.
iv particularly responsible for carrying certain checks in the overall Census Control, and submit detailed written report on the enumeration when handing over census documents and materials to the District Census Officer.
v to ensure complete decorum of the entire Field Staff in his Area; settle disputes and correct errors as and when reported.
vi to check the Master List against the Enumeration Books and ensure that all questions are answered correctly and countersigned the sheet.
vii to authorise payment of honorarium to Field Staff who have completed their work efficiently and submitted all that should be handed over after the Census exercise.

The Supervisors were:-

i responsible to the Field Officer for the efficient conduct of the enumeration within his assigned Area in the District.
ii to master the Questionnaire and the Enumerators Manual and know the locality and its people.
iii to assist in the training of Enumerators.
iv to check the contents of each satchel, ensure that all that would be required in the field are in the satchel.
v to have close supervision of the Enumerators work and correct mistakes on the spot.
vi to report to the Field Officer the progress of the census exercise in his Area.
vii to settle promptly any difficulties, disputes or problems which may arise and report to the Field Officer.
viii to ensure decorum of Enumerators in the field; make sure that each knows which Area he has to cover. Go over his map with him and make sure he understands what places he has to visit and how to get there.
ix to make arrangement for meeting each in turn and as soon as after the start of the enumeration as possible.
x to deal speedily with any queries they may have and if necessary refer to the Field Officer.
xi to ensure that enumeration starts on time daily; witness one complete interview conducted by the Enumerator and satisfy himself that he is doing his work correctly.
xii to ensure that all localities are being visited, including localities which may not be shown in the Enumeration Map.
xiii to satisfy himself that any locality said to be deserted is in fact deserted.
xv to satisfy himself that at the end of the enumeration every house has been visited, the inhabitants enumerated and that all bear the blue sticker.