Census asks what is important for students

Who children admire, what they do in their spare time and how much they spend on their cellphones are among the questions to be answered as part of an international census project.

In a practice run for the population census, about 950 schools will take part in CensusAtSchool New Zealand, which will involve more than 1500 teachers around the country working with students in Years 5 to 10.

The month-long project - a joint undertaking by Statistics New Zealand, the University of Auckland and the Ministry of Education - was launched yesterday at St Mary's School in Northcote.

Project spokeswoman and co-director Rachel Cunliffe, from the University of Auckland, said the census would provide a unique insight into what New Zealand's 10- to 15-year-olds were thinking, feeling and doing.

"This will be the most comprehensive snapshot to date of how New Zealand students are living their lives."

In its third year, CensusAtSchool is part of an initiative involving students from Canada, Australia, South Africa and Great Britain in collecting data relevant to their lives.

The data collected by New Zealand students will be added to an international database, providing opportunities for students to compare themselves with other students in New Zealand and in countries overseas.

Lesley Hooper, education manager of Statistics New Zealand, said students were often given data that was not relevant to them.

"Having data that is embedded in their own lives will get them enthused and wanting to learn."

One question asked in CensusAtSchool concerns who children admire. Last time the most popular responses for girls, after family members, were celebrities and for boys sports stars.

Auckland schools are the leading participants, with more than 40 per cent in the region enrolled. It is hoped teaching resources can be developed from the results.

Malcolm Hyland, senior adviser mathematics at the Ministry of Education, said the project was a launching pad aimed at turning students into "data detectives" equipped with tools and inclinations that will enable them to continue to make discoveries about their world throughout their lives.