Changes Coming To The Statistics Act

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica, says the sector is about to experience a transformation, as part of efforts to align Government entities with a particular standard. With yesterday being World Statistics Day, the leadership of STATIN made clear their plans on CVM at Sunrise.

The Statistical Institute of Jamaica, says an upgrade in the current Statistics Act is imminent. There are also plans afoot, to implement a National Commission, independent of station, that will facilitate the transition of Government entities, to one standard.

“With regards to data confidentiality, again we’re strengthening that component. It’s about updating the Act to reflect what we’re doing right now, that’s the primary purpose. Additionally, one other thing that we’re doing…the creation of a National Statistics Commission…this will provide some over arching framework and guidelines to ensure that we’re all at the same standard,” says Deputy General of STATIN, Leesha Delatie-Budair.

She also explains that policies which are influenced by data , have to be fully comprehended before decisions are arrived at and individuals must be cognizant of the issues to get a resolution.

“Every data collection activity has some level of limitations and in order to best understand and to best use it. You first have to understand what the data is saying,” she adds.

Meanwhile, the census which is conducted by STATIN has been postponed until 2022. However she says the data collecting process and training will be executed online.

CVM LIVE‘s Javine McLean reports: