Capacity Building Approach and Process
Training Need Assessment Process in Rajasthan Rajasthan has adopted a consultative process to identify capacity requirements of ERs and officials. SIRD organised a four day workshop at each divisional location [the state has seven divisions] facilitated by Zilla Parishad of the respective division. On the first day of the workshop, needs of elected Zilla Panchayat members and related district level officials were identified. On the second, third and fourth days needs of Panchayat Samiti members and functionaries; elected Sarpanchs, ward members and Gram Sevaks and Gram Sabha were identified respectively. The needs of Gram Sabha were identified by discussions with selected people/opinion leaders from selected GPs of each division. Thus needs of all target trainee segments were captured. The extent to which the process was participatory and the degree of participation of different stakeholders could not be ascertained but the strategy adopted for assessment was quite decentralised and consultative. After the completion of TNA workshops at each division level, an experiential learning and sharing workshop was organised at the SIRD level to finalise emerging needs and aspirations of elected PRI representatives in the state. Based on the findings of the need assessment process, necessary changes were made in the training modules. Till now, the state has conducted three TNAs in the years 2000, 2004 and 2009. Barring Rajasthan all other states conducted capacity building assessment once and trainings were organised accordingly. In all these states, the assessment process focused more on the understanding of schemes/programmes and its implementation along with 73rd CAA. The identified training needs of all the states seemed more or less similar without any significant difference. However, operational skills, attitudes and behavioural dimensions were not emphasised. Focusing only on schemes/ programmes would not be of much help in the long run in improving personal productivity unless these aspects are addressed. Secondly, the identified needs as per the TNA were also more or less similar in all the categories of ERs and functionaries whereas in actuality their roles and responsibilities are different as they operate at different levels. It is apparent that identified needs are more generic in nature rather than specific to a particular category of ERs and functionaries. There is no specific standardised framework to assess the capacity of different ERs and functionaries. Each state has its own methods of capacity assessment. While this gives flexibility to the states, there is no scope of consolidation of this information at the national level for different categories of ERs.
2.10 Strategy and Methods of Capacity Building 2.10.1 Direct Mode; Face to Face Face to face training has been a common in-house training methodology adopted by all the states for ERs and officials.The associated training institutions prefer this methodology as it facilitates exchange of views between the trainer and trainees. This mode of training seems more appropriate and feasible to discuss various issues related to different schemes/programmes and getting clarification from the trainers. Secondly, this mode of training creates a sharing platform for all the participants to exchange ideas and practical experiences which becomes beneficial for other trainees. States like Orissa, Assam and West Bengal put lot more emphasis on this mode of training whereas the technologically savvy state of Andhra Pradesh puts high degree of emphasis on SATCOM based training due to the scope of wider outreach and coverage.
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