Bharati Mohapatra

Building Capacities of members of CBO, PRI representatives and grassroots level organizations is one of the core competencies of CYSD. At the behest of FES, Keonjhar, CYSD Training Team conducted a 5-day Training Needs Assessment (TNA) program for the PRI members and Panchayat Resource Persons as well as the staff of FES in Banspal Block of Keonjhar district in March.
 
The purpose of this Training Needs Assessment (TNA) program was to recognize the performance issues of the representatives that could be augmented. Their competencies could be further enhanced by sharpening their existing knowledge base and skill sets. The crux of conducting the TNA program was to identify these performance issues and analyze the gaps between the existing competencies and the competencies required to meet the organization’s objectives.  The team identified the knowledge, skill sets and attitudes possessed by the  representatives by using a specific tool designed for the assessment purpose.
 
CYSD team interviewed 19 Sarpanches from 21 Panchayats and 11 Panchayat Resource Persons and staff of FES involved in strengthening local self governance through a rigorous process.
 
As an outcome of the whole exercise, the team could explore that majority of the representatives lacks knowledge on three-tier PRI system, 73rd Amendment, PESA, role and responsibilities of Gram Panchayat, required knowledge on preparing Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). In some cases where women are in Sarapanch positions, proxy leadership by male members was also found.