Abstract |
Research in the area of adult education looking at constraints affecting training of programme facilitators is limited in this part of the world. The aim of the study was to identify constraints encountered by trainers in the training of programme facilitators with a view to establishing whether or not any corrective measures had been taken. A cross sectional study design was used to collect data in Solwezi, Kasempa, Mwinilunga and Kabompo. This study employed two types of sampling methods and these are expert sampling and simple random sampling. A sample of 170 respondents was drawn from a population of 700 trainers and programme managers. Qualitative data were analysed using framework analysis with the help of the NUD*IST software. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17. Since all questions measuring constraints and consequences were constructed using the ordinal scale, the questions were constructed on an eleven point Likert rating scale (1 to 11), ANOVA and univariate analysis were done. This study showed that there were constraints in the training of programme facilitators within North Western Province. In spite of these constraints, trainers were satisfied and motivated to share knowledge and skills with community members. Constraints included inadequate funding, cultural factors, and balancing work as a trainer and other work situations, human resource and trainee entry behaviors. The solutions to these constraints bordered on ensuring equity, re orienting Teaching-Learning Process- and use of multiple methods of instruction, putting in place Trainee Support Systems, enhancing capacity to cope with teaching using various strategies and ensuring mentoring. The constraints presented in this study are deeper and social cultural in nature. If the constraints are of a deeper social and cultural nature, as argued here, then there is no easy one-shot solution. One will need to look for solutions beyond the training systems in the NGO world and the main stream public service. There is need for reforms in training and programming that are context specific, that require multiple approaches and can be implemented for a long period of time. Initiatives will also have to be monitored, and the development and results will need continuous discussions, informed by evidence and careful analysis. Future research would have to be grounded in testing theoretical assumptions in order to have greater explanatory power. There is need to consider doing a comparative study on programme facilitators in order to bring out salient features of training events and the life of programme facilitators in the NGO and public sector worlds. |