The selection and use of training tools must match the training needs and type of training.
The major challenges are:
a) sensitization to bring about attitudinal and behavioural change; and
b) using participatory techniques to build rapport, elicit support, information and participation of the people in their own development.
Importance of participatory techniques
Participatory techniques aim to break the silence of the poor and disadvantaged sections, recognize the value of popular collective knowledge and wisdom and legitimize the production of knowledge by the people themselves.
Participatory approaches seek to be catalysts enabling and empowering the people.
These have internalized some key techniques in adult training for learning such as
a) linking learning to problems,
b) linking learning to peoples goals and visions, and
c) giving trainees control over decisions on training.
The participatory approach emphasizes flexible learning, is adaptable to the pace set by the learners/trainers and tailored to needs expressed by participants themselves.
Participatory rural appraisal
Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is a methodology to enhance
The effectiveness of participatory approaches has led donors, government organizations and NGOs to use PRA in their programmes. Participatory training is based on the belief that
learners with their life experiences are themselves a rich source of learning;
learning cannot be imposed; the learner can only be encouraged to learn;
learners learn best by doing or practising an activity; and
learning is facilitated by a positive/successful activity/experience resulting in further achievement, thereby building up a virtuous circle.
Aims of participatory methods
Different participatory methods are used for different ends. Sometimes participatory approaches are the means and ends as well.
In the case of decentralized development, the ends are:
Since village panchayats have to play an active role in initiating the micro-planning exercise, they need a locally relevant database that is validated by the local people. This will form the basis for setting local priorities. This should help, in turn, in the formulation of local action plans in the form of development activities/projects/programmes.
Scope of PRA
PRA is used
Areas of application
Table 12.1 Participatory rural appraisal
Principles and methods |
Benefits |
|
From they learn from us to we learn from them. |
. From we let them participate to they take command of their own process. |
Empowering the poor and weak to assert their priorities, make demands and act. |
From weve done a PRA to we admit being corrected by people. |
From we use instruments from our toolbox to they can map, model, estimate, score, analyse, plan themselves. |
Expression and harnessing of local diversity. |
From we share our knowledge analysis with them to we enable them to learn from each other and conduct their own analysis. |
Offsetting biases: spatial, project, gender/elite, seasonal calendar. |
Community participatory appraisal, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. |
Rapid progressive learning, which is flexible, exploratory, interactive and inventive. |
Triangulation: using different methods, sources and disciplines, and a range of informants in a range of places and cross checking to get closer to the truth through successive approximations. |
Identification of research priorities; experts more receptive to the ability of rural poor to design, implement and evaluate. |
Facilitation: to enable people to do more or all of the investigation themselves and own the outcome. |
|
Insights gained from PRA leading to policy change. |
Sharing: a culture of sharing information, methods, field experiences among NGOs, government and villagers. |
Behaviour and attitudes: critical self-awareness in external facilitators, learning from errors. |
A culture of open learning among govt., NGOs and community. |
Table 12.2 Tools of PRA
Diagram |
Priority matrix |
Seasonal calendar |
Time trends |
Venn diagram |
|
Map Provides alternative database Depicts differing local perception of local problems/needs |
Transect Builds rapport with locals Supports maps of local resources/needs |
Entire community involved in prioritizing needs and development initiatives |
Helps to identify lean periods for resources and timing of supply of key farm inputs |
Provides local perspective on time changes in natural resources/ecology/etc. |
Helps to identify marginalized individuals and groups within the village |
For details of PRA tools, please see Annex VII.