Training of the CPST Resource Persons

The CPST continues to take the capacity building of its resource persons as part of quality improvement in service delivery. Given the unique nature of parliamentary studies, the CPST draws its facilitators from experienced former Member of Parliament, serving staff of the PSC, and external resource persons with expertise in different areas.

In order to standardize the teaching standards and improve the quality of training, the CPST conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop from 3rd to 6th April, 2014 at the Lukenya Getaway Resort. The overall objective of the workshop was to equip the team of trainers with the skills necessary to drive high-quality interactive training sessions by and for the CPST. A total of twenty (20) trainers were successfully trained.

A key success of this ToT was that it was done based on the six thematic areas in the CPST curriculum and in the end it evolved an eclectic model of training generally referred to as "THE CPST WAY". This approach has four key features to ensure that the trainer and trainee relation does not take a bi-partisan approach. The four features of THE CPST WAY of training involve:

• Meticulous preparation and management of training sessions in close consultation with CPST and paying key attention to the processes in the preparation for training sessions.
• Uses interactive and participant-friendly methods of delivery. Thus, THE CPST WAY is a Competency Based Training (CBT) Model and it is skill based. It recognizes the centrality of individual differences. This methodology of delivery of training entails a variety of strategies ranging from: lecture method, group discussions, brainstorming, question and answer techniques, use of case studies, observation, and peer review. THE CPST WAY emphasizes constant feedback during the learning process. The training strategies also employ use of multiple teaching and learning aids ranging from technology based aids such as projectors, smart boards, flip charts, task cards, resource persons, and models. Further, punctuality and timeliness in the delivery process are among the key tenets emphasized.
• Monitoring and evaluation strategies in THE CPST WAY focus and emphasize quality and relevance in the selection and delivery of training sessions. Accordingly, the facilitators using the CPST manuals to prepare and train participants are required to consider the following CPST criteria in monitoring and evaluating training sessions:
• Debriefing with the co-facilitators/secretariat at the end of every session
• gauging the effectiveness of the facilitator by the trainees
• Assessing the impact of training on the trainees( are they showing and practicing what they have been brought taught) this can be done through tracer studies
• Getting feedback from the participants
• Peer review
• Use of recording of sessions (can be played back and it helps in future improvement)
• The findings are fed back into the curriculum development process and Course review, re-alignment and improvement.

The model has so far been implemented in the subsequent trainings undertaken. In order to consolidate the gains made, the CPST also produced the Code of Conduct for the and short contract letters for the facilitators to sign before undertaking any training assignments. This is part of the process of streamlining training Courses at the Centre in order to ensure proper documentation for all training activities.