Training & Development
Overall Statement of Success: Qualitative, relevant and need-based training and support for all adults in scouting
Henri-Frederic Amiel a Swiss philosopher and poet is quoted saying, “It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water from the well.”
In its vision dabbed vision 2030, which is the nation’s long-term development blueprint for the creation of a globally competitive and prosperous nation with a high quality of life by the year 2030, Education and Training is a key element under the social pillar.
The Kenya Scouts Association training department has as a mandate to train and develop the youths through offering sufficient, efficient, competent, dynamic and highly motivated adult leadership. It does this through prudent selection, training and support to its training officers in order to ensure effective delivery of the Youth program.
The department empowers various categories of leaders in its bid to deliver on its mandate. These include Unit Leaders who are in direct contact with young people and effect actual delivery of the Program, Trainers who manage adult learning, Administrators in National, County and Sub-county level, the Professional staff at Kenya Scouts Associations Headquarters and Regional centres and Parents of Scouts who are involved in the management of the Scouts.
The Department is committed to re-energizing itself with an aim of creating a more positive impact on the Youth Program. As a department, we realize that the effectiveness of training at whatever level is only realized in the way the program is being delivered. When the young people gain skills and achieve badges, both standard and proficiency, and the Scouting units managed professionally, then the department will have accomplished its mandate. We believe that training is only as good as the programme.
To achieve its mandate, the department has restructured its training schemes, methodology and general management structures.
Peter Mwema
National Training Executive
The Introductory Training Courses (ITC) will be offered to all those who wish to join Scouting as Scout leaders. The Preliminary Training Course (PTC), which used to be offered in a workshop/seminar set-up, will now be offered in a Camp setting. The course is divided into two phases. In the first phase, willing participants are given a self- study PTC manual from which a pre-test (to be taken by all attendees to the course) for qualification to the second phase (camp phase) is derived.
An evaluation of the delivery of the PTC was done and it was evident that the practical skills offered in this section, could not be adequately delivered in a workshop/seminar set-up and hence the need to switch to the camp phase mode of delivery.
The number of days allocated for a Woodbadge course has been reduced from ten (10) to seven (7) owing to the fact that some of the content in the course is covered in PTC.
For equitable distribution of trainers, identification of those to take part in an Assistant Leader Trainer and Leader Trainer Course is done at the County level but planned at the National level. These courses are offered regionally in the seven (7) countries that form the Eastern Africa Scout Zone.
The only real training for leadership is leadership. Leaders are mentors and as we train Scout leaders, we impact in them knowledge, skills and attitude that empowers them to interpret the Scout Programme and guide the Scouts in achieving their full potential. Effective Adult leader training has a direct link to the quality of the youth programme delivery.
TRAINING POLICY
The department has revised its Training Policy with the following highlights:
v The term TRAINER shall apply to:
- Support Leader Trainers
- Assistant Leader Trainers
- Leader Trainers
- Specialized Trainers
v The County Training Committee shall be composed of the District training Commissioners and the County Training commissioner with the county Training Commissioner chairing the County Training Committee.
The County Program Commissioner shall be an ex-officio member of the County Training Committee which is answerable to the county Scouts Committee. The committee shall:
- Meet at least three times every year.
- Convene a special meeting any time in case there is an urgent matter to resolve.
- Identify training needs of all adults in scouting in the county.
- Prepare a training plan for the county and present to the national Training Commissioner.
- Keep a comprehensive register of all adults in scouting and their profiles.
- Evaluate the performance of adult leaders in the county and make recommendations for awards or discipline to the county Scout Commissioner.
- Be the custodians of the National Training Policy at the County level.
v Management of training Activities:
- ITC to be planned for and managed at the District level
- PTC to be planned for and managed at county level
- Woodbadge managed at national level. However, a proposal for the need for such training should come from a County that has identified such a need.
- ALT and LT courses are planned for at National and Regional level
Who is allowed to Train?
- Introductory Training Course may be handled by Support Leader Trainers (woodbadge holders)
- Preliminary Training Course MUST be directed by a minimum of ALT holder assisted by woodbadge holders (Two beads)
- Woodbadge MUST be directed by a minimum of LT assisted by ALT holders
- Assistant Leader Training and Leader Training to be directed by senior LT holders.
Training Manuals
The following training manuals have been produced for use by trainers and scout leaders:
- Pre-PTC manual, this is a self-study manual for all those leaders who intend to attend the camp phase of PTC. The pre course test at camp phase will be set from the Pre-PTC manual.
- ITC and PTC Session Guides for use by trainers while training to ensure uniformity in aim, objectives and content delivery throughout the country.
- PTC, ITC and Woodbadge notes to be given out as handouts to trainees.
- ALT and LT session guides for use by trainers.
