for Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions in ... - PRI Resources

Capacity Assessment and Capacity Development Strategy Reportdetails on training topics. However, it is expected that the people being chosen as the trainers of trainers willbe technically sound and subject experts. One of the major weaknesses of most of the ToT designs is thatthe training skills of the selected trainers are not focused. It is assumed that people who have good technicalskills can perform good training, which is a myth. Even so, most of the time people with good technicalknowledge are selected as trainers. In such cases the focus of ToTs has to be on the training skills of selectedindividuals. This will ensure the dual purpose of achieving effective and efficient delivery by the trainedpeople and further training delivery will be imparted in a cascade effect by the trainers.Thus, training manuals for trainers will need to focus more on methods of imparting training rather thanon technical content.14.7.4 Based on Adult Learning PrinciplesThe target group for training has very low literacy, no/limited exposure to formal education systems, andno previous learning experience. PRI training will be their first experience of training. Hence, the trainingdesign will have to be designed keeping this fact in mind and will have to be based on adult learningprinciples. It will also have to be designed based on activity oriented learning rather than being power pointand charts based. We as adults learn through observation, mimicking, films, case studies, and life situations.The same principles need to be incorporated in the training design to make it more acceptable, absorbable,and implementable. This essentially means converting knowledge into value additive knowledge productsthrough case studies, planned and facilitated exposure visits, storytelling, experience sharing, role plays, liveproblem solving exercises, games, and group activities.This experiential learning method may provide the spark for converting passive knowledge into activeknowledge, which is when it will be utilized.14.7.5 Training MethodologiesIt has been found that in most other states training is generally held in a lecture based manner and deliveredin a one-way communication mode. In other states where such training has been done there has beenvery little exchange between the trainers and trainees. This has been due to a variety of reasons includinglanguage, power, gender, interest levels, and degree of understanding.The training needs to be vibrant, interactive, and in a dialogue form between the trainer and learner.Good training should be like a good theatre experience. Research has shown that people first rememberfeelings and then skills associated with training. Thus, sound training should bring out positive feelings likeenjoyment, curiosity, laughter, and interest. The training design should include various methodologies tomake the experience memorable for learners. This will require a fusion of design, audio-visual aids, faculties,facilitators, and a good training arboriculture. Training arboriculture will involve creating an enablingenvironment for the participants to learn.In order to make the training acceptable, innovative practices from some other states can be included inthe module. For example, Tamil Nadu decorated the training halls in a festive manner thus making it anoccasion to celebrate. This also increased the participation of women and brought about ownership of thetraining programme. In Rajasthan, women who followed purdah were made to serve tea to everyone in thetraining to help them get rid of this practice. Thus, cultural aspects too were integrated depending on thecontext. In tribal pockets of Jharkhand such practices may be followed in order to make the training moreacceptable.80 Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India