Nationwide Census to be conducted by teachers facing security concerns
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Lynn/ Munich (NP News) - Oct 2
Taking nationwide census is projected to be conducted 99% by schoolteachers. Therefore, reports stated over concerns regarding the security issue.
The population and housing census will be conducted nationwide from upcoming October 1 to 15.
A senior official from the Ministry of Immigration and Population stated that teachers will play a primary role in the census-taking, while staff from other departments will also participate in the process.
“We will use the education staff 99.99 percent in the process. They will have to go to the assigned locations, wards and villages once they have completed the training on 27 or 28 September. Immediately, they will need to be protected. Security concern is very risky," said the official.
To ensure smooth data collection for the upcoming nationwide census in October, a pilot project was conducted from 1 to 15 October 2023 in 20 townships.
Myanmar authorities have informed that approximately 110,000 enumeration areas will be set up for the nationwide census, which will be carried out by more than 40,000 enumerators.
"In 2014, a total of 41 questions were involved in the questionnaires and the people had to use pencil and paper for the answers. This time, we will use mobile tablets with software installed, featuring 68 questions. While it won't be filled out with pencils, the enumerators will navigate through the questions by pressing 'Next.' It's essential to conduct this process calmly and securely. Collaboration will be necessary from local administrators, security personnel, and community leaders to ensure that teachers can effectively ask these 68 questions," said a senior official from the Ministry of Immigration and Population.
Critics suggest that adequate security measures are required to ensure safe data collection for the nationwide census.
As the government is preparing for taking the nationwide census, civil service personnel are facing threats and intimidation on the other hand.
The Chinland Defense Force-Hakha (CDF) announced on September 23 that non-CDM civil service personnel will be targeted and shot on the spot for assisting the operation of government mechanisms in Hakha, Chin State.
The State Administration Council conducted a ground-level population census in January 2023. On the first day of it, a police officer was shot in Taninthayi Region, and another officer was also shot in Hakha, Chin State.
A total of more than 7,000 civilians including teachers were killed in extrajudicial killings by the NUG/PDF terrorists under so-called armed-resistance within three years after 2021 political transition.
At present, there are armed conflicts in various towns and cities across the country, especially northern Shan State and Rakhine State cannot be covered and reached the full control of the Union government.
Thus, assessments have been indicated that a complete execution of the nationwide census may not be feasible in northern Shan State.
"In northern Shan State, conducting the census is not feasible due to varying security concerns in each district. However, Yangon and Naypyidaw are expected to have a full process. Therefore, the census plans will depend on regional conditions," stated a senior official from the Ministry of Immigration and Population.
The preliminary population data collected is expected to be released by the end of December 2024.