This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Children help shape Scotland's next Census
20/09/2005
Two Glasgow children will have the opportunity to have their questions included in the next Census after winning an innovative competition.
A competition was run in Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy in Glasgow for students to identify questions they would like the Census to ask.
The two winning questions will now be included in the 2006 Census Test which will go to about 30,000 Glasgow households - and may be included in the next Census in 2011.
Victoria Delargy of Shawlands Academy asked: 'How many times last week did your household sit down at a table and eat a meal together?'.
And Jonothan McColgan of Holyrood Secondary School asked: 'Do you feel confident about going out in the evening in your area?'.
Glasgow pupils have also been chosen as the first in Scotland to learn about the Census, its historical importance and findings to date. Teacher support material is currently being introduced into the school curriculum in the city in a bid to raise awareness of the Census after Glasgow scored as the most under-counted area in Scotland in the 2001 Census.
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform George Lyon said:
"It is crucial that young people are made aware of the importance and significance of participating in Scotland's Census. We estimate that the Census missed around 200,000 Scots in 2001 - around four per cent of Scotland's population.
"We are asking people to stand up and be counted and to take part in the Census.
"The measures we are taking in Glasgow, to involve schools by introducing curriculum-based teaching materials and competitions for pupils to find new questions for the 2011 Census, is generating interest and awareness in the Census. We hope more people in Glasgow will take part in the next Census to ensure we have an accurate picture of life in our biggest city."
Bailie Margaret McCafferty, Education Services Convener said today:
"Glasgow was delighted to be involved in this very worthwhile project and it has been a good and valuable learning experience for the pupils at both Shawlands and Holyrood Secondary schools.
"Both winners of the competition will now see their questions used in the 2006 Census Test in Glasgow and they should be very proud of this.
"Glasgow has recognised the importance of teaching youngsters in all our secondary schools about the Census and curriculum material is now available citywide for use by teachers in Modern Studies and Geography. We are very hopeful that this will encourage the Census population of the future to be more inclined to participate as a direct result of their educational involvement."