Engagement of Users in the National Statistical System National Statistical System Country Report – Sri Lanka Dr. Amara Satharasinghe, Deputy Director

Engagement of Users in theEngagement of Users in the

National Statistical SystemNational Statistical System

Country Report Country Report –– Sri Lanka Sri LankaDr. Amara Satharasinghe, Deputy DirectorDr. Amara Satharasinghe, Deputy Director

Department of Census and StatisticsDepartment of Census and Statistics

Workshop on the Organization of National Statistical Systems and User – Producer

relations: 22 – 24 July: Colombo

National Statistical System of Sri Lanka

a. The statistical system in Sri Lanka is a mixed system but more closer to a centralized system.

b. Sri Lanka’s National Statistical Agency is the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS)

c. DCS plays co-ordinatory and technical supervisory role over the statistical branch offices in Ministries, Departments and Provincial, District and Divisional administration

d. DCS provides trained statistical cadres required by the branch offices and provincial / district offices etc.

e. The legal authority vested in the DCS under the Census and Statistics Ordinances has enabled the DCS to successfully undertake most of the statistical operations in a coordinated manner.

Topics to be addressed

• Improving co-ordination in National Statistical System

• Autonomy of National Statistical Office

• Increase User Engagement

• Usefulness Administrative Data for Statistical Purposes

• Role of National Statistical Offices in Analysis, including

the provision of micro data and

• Emerging statistical issues

a. Avoid duplication of statistical activities

b. Legal framework

c. Use of data standards

d. Improving management of quality in statistics

Improving co-ordination in National Statistical SystemImproving co-ordination in National Statistical System

Improving co-ordination in National Statistical System

Duplication of Statistical activities Duplication of Statistical activities

a. There was a instance where same indicators were compiled by another agency in addition to the DCS

b. Duplication of efforts across institutions that routinely collect and disseminate data leads to waste of scares resources and needs to be rationalized

c. The GDP is an example for an indicator that was compiled by more than one organization

d. After, a constructive dialogue, the DCS took over compilation of GDP statistics

e. There is a growing demand for regional GDP statistics and still DCS has not been able meet this demand

f. Delays in releasing reliable statistics is one of the reasons for duplication of statistics


Legal frameworkLegal framework

a. Authority to obtain information is provided in the legislation

b. Assures confidentiality of data providers

c. Although this has enabled collecting information from the general public in household surveys, it does have enough provisions for encouraging public and private sector agencies to provide data to the DCS

d. As a remedial solution, it has been suggested to revise the legal frame work


Use of data standards Use of data standards

a. Efforts are made to ensure that data standards, methodologies used allows for international consistency and comparability of Sri Lanka’s statistical system with that of other countries

b. Staff of the DCS need to be continuously trained on new methodologies, Data Dissemination standards etc


Improving Management of Quality in Statistics Improving Management of Quality in Statistics

a. By quality of statistics we mean: relevance (compatibility with the needs of users), accuracy of estimates, timeliness, clarity and accessibility, comparability (different countries) and compatibility (avoidance of contradictions in the results of different surveys)

b. DCS has traditionally emphasized accuracy, a key aspect of quality

c. Most publications of the DCS show results of statistical surveys and included references to sampling and non-sampling errors, in order to enable users to apply the data properly

d. The DCS is in the process of obtaining ISO 9001 certification to ensure that all standard office procedures are followed and ready to serve users up to their expectations.

Autonomy of National Statistical Offices

a. Sri Lanka is an example, where Statistical System is enjoying

autonomy

b. In the history of the DCS, there had not been any major

incidents of influencing the statistical system

c. As a result, statistics compiled by the department are

considered as unbiased

Increase User Engagement

a. Raising awareness

b. Improving cooperation with Public Institutions

c. Improving cooperation with Scientific Institutions

d. Improving cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations

e. Improving Dissemination of Statistical Information


Raising awareness Raising awareness

a. DCS conducts various porgarammes such as Presentations, lectures, exhibitions to make users aware about importance of statistics

b. Current level of raising awareness of users is not satisfactory

c. Lack of awareness on the vital role of statistics reduces the willingness of respondents to cooperate in data production process

d. As a preliminary step toward creating user-producer dialogue, awareness-raising campaigns should be launched to educate users and producers, as well as the general public, on the role and importance of statistics to good governance, public affairs management etc.

e. Training opportunities should be given to the staff of the DCS on communication as it helps to improve this area.

f. User satisfaction survey is must for a feed back on user awareness. Survey methodologies should be developed as it is new to the DCS


Improving cooperation with Public Institutions Improving cooperation with Public Institutions

a. Public sector institutions play a dual role as data producers and data users.

b. Also some public Institutions are key players in the National Statistical System.

c. Currently DCS has cooperation from many public sector institutions in statistical activities possibly due to the fact that statistical advisory services are provided to them by DCS.

d. However, there are some organizations, specially, organizations maintaining administrative data are not cooperating satisfactorily. DCS came across this situation when it attempted to collect data to update the Millennium Development Goals database

e. This difficulty was overcome to some extent by setting up a Committee and holding regular meetings


Improving cooperation with Scientific Institutions Improving cooperation with Scientific Institutions

a. Scientific institutions use statistical information mainly for research purposes

b. These institutions include Universities, National Science Foundation, Institute of Policy Studies, Central Bank of Sri Lanka etc

c. Existing potential of these Institutions can be used to improve the National Statistical System

d. These institutions can get involved in informing the data producing agencies on the statistical information requirements of the scientific institutions and train officials of the data producing agencies

e. The DCS already has collaborations with scientific institutions. But the cooperation of the Scientific Institutions should be further strengthened and expanded in such a way that both parties are benefited


Improving cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations Improving cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations

a. The Non-governmental organizations use data relevant to their more focused activities

b. The capacity of the non-governmental organizations to prepare and provide statistical information is limited

c. There are professional bodies such as Applied Statistics Association of Sri Lanka, established with the objective of further developing the subject and to promoting applications of the subject for the betterment of the country

d. By improving the cooperation with such bodies and non-governmental organizations correct usage of statistics in NGO’s can be improved

e. Because of capacity and methodological issues data collected by NGO’s cannot be used in the same way as official statistics are used.


Improving Dissemination of Statistical Information Improving Dissemination of Statistical Information

a. Setting up specific release time and the time for carrying out the surveys etc. The DCS has published an Advance Data Release Calendar in the department’s website

b. Simplifying the mechanisms of information search by introducing a search key in the web. There is a search key given in the DCS website and it is being improved. DCS needs technical assistance to improve this area

c. Developing a unified output database for internal and external users and publishing it the in the website. Several interactive and user-friendly databases have been published in the DCS website

d. One such database is on the MDG indicators

e. For each district there is an interactive database published in the DCS website carrying development indicators

f. A Meta database that is being developed under the Asian Development Bank assistance is being prepared and it is to be published in the DCS website.

63.8

67.9

78.3

80.5

80.5

87.9

91.5

82.0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

%

Sabaragamuwa

Uva

Central

North Central

Southern

North Western

Western

Total

Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water source by province: 2001- Sri Lanka

Table 1.1.2:

8.2 7.9 7.3Kegalle 7.6 7.1 9.3

9.1 7.9 9.7

Ratnapura 6 7.8 8.5 7.8 6.3 7.8

Moneragala 7.7 9.8 10.1

4.1 4.9 5

Badulla 6 8.8 7.3 7.8 6.2 8.6

Polonnaruwa 5.3 5.2 2.9

8.3 5.2 7.2

Anuradhapura 4.2 3.9 4.4 4.6 4.2 4

Puttalam 5.1 7 5.6

3.8 7.2 7.9

Kurunegala 5.3 5.6 5.1 5.6 5.3 5.6

Hambantota 7.3 8.5 6.6

5.3 6.5 5.8

Matara 5.9 6.3 6.3 7.5 6 6.6

Galle 6.8 5.9 5.5

6.1 6.3 6.3

Nuwara Eliya 4.3 4.6 3.9 1.8 4.2 4.2

Matale 6.8 6.4 4

4.9 7.2 4.4

Kandy 8 5.9 7.8 4.5 8 5.6

Kalutara 7.1 4.2 7.5

1.9 3.7 1.3

Gampaha 2.4 2.1 4.1 2.8 2.6 2.3

Colombo 3.4 1.1 5.2

8 7 7.6

District

Sabaragamuwa 6.7 7.5 8.9

4.4 4.4 4.4

Uva 6.6 9.1 8 8.1 6.8 9

North Central 4.5 4.3 3.8

-

North Western 5.3 6.1 5.3 6.4 5.3 6.1

Eastern - - -

5.8 6.5 6.5

Northern - - - -

Southern 6.6 6.7 6

2.8 4.1 2.3

Central 6.9 5.5 6.2 4.2 6.8 5.3

Western 3.8 2.1 5.3

5.4 3.3 6

Province

Estate 2.9 6.1 5.9

2.1 3.7 1.7

Rural 6.3 5.6 6.5 5.3 6.3 5.6

Urban 3.4 1.6 4.6

4.8 5.6 5.1

Sector

Sri Lanka 5.5 5.1 6

1990/91 2002

Poverty gap ratio in Sri Lanka

Sector/ Province/ District

Male* Female* Total

1990/91 2002 1990/91 2002



a. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) for presenting statistical data in the Internet and in publications. But this software is very expensive

b. Enhancing the communication skills of the personnel, interacting with users

c. Modernizing the library, launching electronic library and bookshop of the publications on the Internet

d. Cooperate more closely with the specialized mass media and involved institutions, engage them in the formation of a more positive image of statistics

e. Creating a flexible pricing system and using effective sale methods

f. All statistical products of the DCS are sold at a minimal price

g. All the information published in the website can be accessed and down loaded free of charge

h. DCS website is hosted in a server belong to Sri Lanka Telecom. As such there is a limitation in the amount of statistical materials that could be published in the site.



a. Quarterly press briefing is held to announce Labour Force and few other statistics

b. DCS is planning to use ICT to further assist the users in their information requirements, by modernization of dissemination system

c. The website of the Department, entertaining information requests by e-mail, publishing statistical information in CD’s etc are data dissemination methods for which ICT has already been used

d. In order to improve the ties between the users and statistical staff, all relevant e-mail addresses have been published in the DCS website

e. Another area for which, ICT has been used is Geographic Information Systems

f. DCS has already included database in its website, capable of drawing interactive thematic maps for development indicators.

Poverty Levels (as measured by Unsatisfied Basic Needs Index) of GN Divisions Kandy District - 2001

l

Level of Poverty

-2.79 - -0.37

-0.36 - 0.11

0.12 - 0.39

0.40 - 0.63

0.64 - 1.34

Missing Data

Usefulness of Administrative Data

a. In Sri Lanka, administrative data is a very important source of data for compiling number of indicators

b. Indicators such as birth rate, death rate, mid year population are prepared using the administrative data maintained by the Registrar General’s Department

c. The Statistical unit of the Registrar General’s Department is responsible for compilation of these indicators and this unit is staffed by the DCS

d. However, there is an issue on timeliness of the indicators compiled by the Department. There is a backlog to be cleared

e. Not having sufficient qualified staff may be a possible cause for this

f. As a remedial measure Statistics Unit has been reinforced by posting a few officers of the Head Office of the Department particularly from the IT sector temporally to this unit to expedite clearing the backlog

Role of National Statistical Offices in Analysis, including theprovision of Micro Data

a. DCS conducts several surveys and censuses regularly. Also it conducts ad hoc surveys, censuses and special studies

b. Reports carrying brief description of findings and statistical tables are released for most of these surveys, censuses and special studies

c. But unfortunately, hardly any in-depth research work is carried out using these micro data by the DCS staff

d. Research culture has to be developed within the Department

e. Analytical thinking and capacity and writing skills of the DCS staff need to be improved

f. Recently the DCS implemented a policy on releasing micro data and this policy has been published in the DCS website

g. Under no circumstance, identification data are released with micro data

Emerging statistical issues

a. DCS conducts several regular surveys and censuses

b. Generally, all the surveys are designed to estimate statistics at district and higher levels due to limitations in sample sizes

c. But for targeting limited resources, estimates are required at lower level administrative units

d. For example, surveys are conducted to estimate malnutrition levels. For implementation of nutrition programmes to address malnutrition issues, planners need to know where the malnourished children are living

Emerging statistical issues

a. Small Area Estimation Technique (SEAT) is useful for estimating statistics at lower level administrative units

b. According to literature, there are two types of SAET’s called census based and non-census based methods

c. Censuses are conducted once in ten years. Therefore, attempts should be made to train staff on the second method and meet the demand for data at lower level administrative units

Emerging statistical issues contd.

a. DCS successfully tested the SAET to estimate poverty indices at DS division level

b. For this, Census of Population and Housing data – 2001 and Household Income and Expenditure Data – 2002 were used

c. For the census based type SEAT, year in which survey was conducted should be very close to the year on which the census had been conducted to minimize the errors

d. Therefore, there is an urgent need to introduce and use non-census based methodologies

Statistical Capacity Building Project

a. The Head office of the DCS has 18 divisions, which are currently housed in 6 locations within the City of Colombo

b. This fragmentation of locations makes coordination, meetings and communication challenging.

c. Bringing all the DCS functions under one roof will greatly help streamline the process

d. With World Bank assistance, the DCS is planning to implement a project called STATCAP (Statistical Capacity Building Project). In this project provisions are there for capacity building and construction of a building to the DCS.

e. One important component of this project is establishment of a Data Committee. To reflect the statistical needs of the planners, policy makers, and other users of data, a National Data Committee (NDC) will be created.

Conclusion

To increase engagement of users in a statistical systemTo increase engagement of users in a statistical system

a. Defining a data dissemination policy

b. Following and analyzing continuously the media and the user feedback

c. Conducting user satisfaction survey for main groups of users and measuring the quality for satisfying user needs

d. Defining the procedure for improving the statistical knowledge of users with easy methodological explanations for data, as well as special training for applications and interpretation of data produced with new methodology

e. Introducing user-oriented approach among all employees in the DCS

f. Improving the accessibility of statistical results by new technologies and organizational means

g. Increasing the interest of users to participate in statistical activities

Documents

Engagement of Users in the National Statistical System National Statistical System Country Report – Sri Lanka Dr. Amara Satharasinghe, Deputy Director