The center was established in 1973. Many students graduated from the center since then until the war broke up in 1982. The center was closed due to the war in Southern Sudan until recently when JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) supported the center to start. The center started offering short courses of 3 to 6 months with six trades running i.e. carpentry, plumbing, auto-mechanic, electricity, building and welding. Since last year then the center has change the program from three or six months to one year with added trades that happen to be secretariat, general mechanic and refrigerator and air conditioning. The center recruit all the students from Southern Sudan States and the police for acceptance is pass of Sudan school certificate. JICA is still supporting the one year program while the government is paying the instructors.
The center still lack qualify instructor to teach due to few qualifying instructors in different fields of vocational education. There are no vocational institutes in Southern Sudan for instructors to up-grade their vocational skills. However, few are only send to neighboring countries such as Uganda and Kenya for training of three to six months, which is not enough.
Reflections
In reality, Southern Sudan as a whole is lacking vocational institutes for training instructors in different vocational fields. The curriculum used is not so relevant with the needs of the community. Actually it becomes difficult for most instructors to cope up with new methods of teaching. We need to make a paradigm shift in the way we teach i.e. teachers centered to students centered. Dialogue should be the key of our teaching methodology. Cooperation with students, trusting him/her is one way we can part knowledge.
By Paul Tartisio Kneyi
Together we build a better nation (Stay awake with me).
Friday 31 October 2008
Multi-service Training Center Rearch Findings (Carpentry)
Carpentry
The section had 14 students and 3 instructors, 3 students gave-up and 11 are present. The reason for the 3 drop out, they were asked by the school administration to remain in their places of work (since they were working) due to punctuality issue.
Observation
In my mind, the students of the carpentry were hard working group. They were in groups for practical work for 2 hours. In this two hours each of the group are to prepare a cardboard to keep cups. Although they really work hard as a group trying to manifest their vocational skills and knowledge, the following were not taken into consideration:
• Tools were not enough.
• Students were not putting on globes or shoes safety.
• Nothing was cover on their nostrils.
• Teacher was busy chatting with his colleagues.
I was console by the effort of the students were sharing tools. Despite the shortage of the tools, the groups were able to finish their work on time. To me, it was amazing that they are actually learning from each by sharing tools and skills because they were correcting other groups with less participation of the some members.
In my mind, the important point of learning during this process was punctuality. They were able to put effort together and finish their job on time although some were late. That for me is learning and acquiring vocational skills and knowledge.
I had an opportunity of sharing some vocational experiences and thoughts with an instructor called John Ojara. Sometimes most teachers in the center really don’t feel comfortable to teach due to their vocational qualification. They feel shallow with their vocational skills or experiences because sometimes the students ask question and an instructor is an able to answer not that he does not know but less qualify.
They were not given chance to up-grade their vocational skills both in universities and other higher vocational institutes in Khartoum due to the mentality that V.T.Cs are for those who can grasp beyond the workshop. Actually for him, JICA is doing less in up-grading the teachers and bringing more machines some of which instructors do not know how to operate them.
Reflection
In my mind, JICA is actually focusing more on equipping the workshops with machines and less on training the teachers. To me sending an instructor for 2 weeks, 3 months or even 6 months is not a training that can up-grade the vocational qualification but rather for learning language.
In reality, they are send to be train on how to make lesson plan, teaching methodologies and other subjects that concern the teacher only and I wonder what happen with student. Sometimes instructors are send to Uganda (Nakawa Institute) for training and the training there does not manifest what is in reality back in Southern Sudan. Hence, it becomes monotonous for many teachers. The system of training teachers needs to be change and make it to be two or three years instead of two or three months.
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Thinking Globally and Acting Locally
Thinking Globally and Acting Locally
In economics we speak of North and South or sometimes we talk of first world and third world. More recently, the terms begin to change and so we speak of developed world, developing world and underdeveloped world. In my world view, the geographical extent of North and South in economics terms really does not vary greatly.
My Experience in Southern Sudan and particularly Wau, have an impact of my understanding of development. I tent to think that foreign aid to most African countries are making most people lazy both mentally and physically. People do not think beyond the scope of receiving from the Western world, therefore, the skilled men and women tent to forget their natural skills. The local people are dependent on the foreign aid and so the concept going to the farm for instance and cultivate becomes useless since the donors are providing food, health care every two of three months.
In Rumbek one of the ten states of Southern Sudan had shortage of food in 2005. I remember when UNICEF agency introduce the idea of cultivating a huge farm of maze, so that every year WFP can stop sponsoring maze but rather oil and other necessary items. The aim of the project was to introduce every year new method of cultivating other crops and in doing so making people develop the state not only in agricultural aspect but also training nurses to take care of the hospitals instead of Red Cross Danish. Surprisingly the indigenous did not turn up in a good number, only Ugandans, Kenyans and Congolese and few Sudanese (local people of the area).
To me, it was not a shock t because the aid they are receiving from the foreign NGOs, made most of the people dependent on that. However, it sounds funny to many when the concept of cultivation was introduced. Many people, mostly in the local community question, why they need agricultural farms when WFP is providing wheat, maze, oil and UNICEF providing health care, school items. However, the few Sudanese who participated during the development of agricultural project got retired, foreigners left and the result of the project was wipe away. Until today, the land is still free and fertile.
I am not advocating that foreign aid to most African countries particularly Southern Sudan is a disease, it is good and backing up the development of many countries but if it is not handle well, then the foreign aid will be doing more harm than good. We need to be rooted in our local skills such as farming methods, using holes but now since we have tractors as a global recognize hole, then we use it locally. Growing acacia trees locally can bring investment both in the local community and the state.
My idea of development is not top-down conception but down-top development. We are able to use the available tools we have in the community and develop the skills step by step. Taking a leap and always forward in every stage educational development is the concept of economical growth in my mind. We start off with what we have and integrating it with the foreign aid we received will help us develop our country, local state and the local community.
Yes, we need development and yet the idea may not see the light if we do not integrate our global skills in the local community or society. We need to open the windows of our mind and it will help us think globally. For instance, I eat pizza well decorated with meat, chicken and so on, which is global; on the other hand I can prepare similar type of pizza, locally made with some coconuts, vegetables and can be tasty. This is the idea of thinking globally and acting locally and not always depending on the foreign aid. The idea is not forgoing the concept of foreign aid but integrating it with what we already have will be fruitful.
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi/Akershus University College,
In economics we speak of North and South or sometimes we talk of first world and third world. More recently, the terms begin to change and so we speak of developed world, developing world and underdeveloped world. In my world view, the geographical extent of North and South in economics terms really does not vary greatly.
My Experience in Southern Sudan and particularly Wau, have an impact of my understanding of development. I tent to think that foreign aid to most African countries are making most people lazy both mentally and physically. People do not think beyond the scope of receiving from the Western world, therefore, the skilled men and women tent to forget their natural skills. The local people are dependent on the foreign aid and so the concept going to the farm for instance and cultivate becomes useless since the donors are providing food, health care every two of three months.
In Rumbek one of the ten states of Southern Sudan had shortage of food in 2005. I remember when UNICEF agency introduce the idea of cultivating a huge farm of maze, so that every year WFP can stop sponsoring maze but rather oil and other necessary items. The aim of the project was to introduce every year new method of cultivating other crops and in doing so making people develop the state not only in agricultural aspect but also training nurses to take care of the hospitals instead of Red Cross Danish. Surprisingly the indigenous did not turn up in a good number, only Ugandans, Kenyans and Congolese and few Sudanese (local people of the area).
To me, it was not a shock t because the aid they are receiving from the foreign NGOs, made most of the people dependent on that. However, it sounds funny to many when the concept of cultivation was introduced. Many people, mostly in the local community question, why they need agricultural farms when WFP is providing wheat, maze, oil and UNICEF providing health care, school items. However, the few Sudanese who participated during the development of agricultural project got retired, foreigners left and the result of the project was wipe away. Until today, the land is still free and fertile.
I am not advocating that foreign aid to most African countries particularly Southern Sudan is a disease, it is good and backing up the development of many countries but if it is not handle well, then the foreign aid will be doing more harm than good. We need to be rooted in our local skills such as farming methods, using holes but now since we have tractors as a global recognize hole, then we use it locally. Growing acacia trees locally can bring investment both in the local community and the state.
My idea of development is not top-down conception but down-top development. We are able to use the available tools we have in the community and develop the skills step by step. Taking a leap and always forward in every stage educational development is the concept of economical growth in my mind. We start off with what we have and integrating it with the foreign aid we received will help us develop our country, local state and the local community.
Yes, we need development and yet the idea may not see the light if we do not integrate our global skills in the local community or society. We need to open the windows of our mind and it will help us think globally. For instance, I eat pizza well decorated with meat, chicken and so on, which is global; on the other hand I can prepare similar type of pizza, locally made with some coconuts, vegetables and can be tasty. This is the idea of thinking globally and acting locally and not always depending on the foreign aid. The idea is not forgoing the concept of foreign aid but integrating it with what we already have will be fruitful.
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi/Akershus University College,
Education as the kernel concept for development
Education as the kernel concept for development
In my mind, education is the basis for the economic, political and social development. Investment in education is always associated with successful economic and human resource development. Hence, it is always linked to a better income and productivity and improvement of life standard. For example, if the government invests in educating women in programs like, women promotion, life skills then the concept of gender may not be question but if we considered women always as subservient of men and categorize them as mothers and family care takers then the development of the stat in terms of education and gender issue will always raise concern.
Actually, to me, education is one the key idea for development and minimizing the foreign aid that is making most of the African countries, corrupt. The upgrade of the literacy skills that most Sudanese has can help the country to develop. Providing workers/craftsman in the country with technical knowledge related to their occupations or field of specialization can improve the quality and quantity of their production as well as development local communities. Developing a positive attitude towards the targeted group, for instance, women promotion, teacher education to mention few can enable them to be productive citizens.
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi
In my mind, education is the basis for the economic, political and social development. Investment in education is always associated with successful economic and human resource development. Hence, it is always linked to a better income and productivity and improvement of life standard. For example, if the government invests in educating women in programs like, women promotion, life skills then the concept of gender may not be question but if we considered women always as subservient of men and categorize them as mothers and family care takers then the development of the stat in terms of education and gender issue will always raise concern.
Actually, to me, education is one the key idea for development and minimizing the foreign aid that is making most of the African countries, corrupt. The upgrade of the literacy skills that most Sudanese has can help the country to develop. Providing workers/craftsman in the country with technical knowledge related to their occupations or field of specialization can improve the quality and quantity of their production as well as development local communities. Developing a positive attitude towards the targeted group, for instance, women promotion, teacher education to mention few can enable them to be productive citizens.
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi
Monday 13 October 2008
In Bergen
This is one of the historical buildings in Bergen which had being renovated. It is located near the hotel where we sleep then.
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Experience with Don Bosco V.T.C
In the meeting with the staff, prior to the opening of academic year, I invited each of them to be accountable for his/her individual actions and learning. By doing that we are all learning to improve our vocational skills in one way or the other. We will evaluate our work practice every six months to have a room for improvement at the individual level.
The aim of working together and be accountable towards our own actions and values is one way of obtaining new knowledge and skills. It is my intention to improve my personal way of thinking in the light of daily self evaluation. To try that out whether it is in line with what I am aiming at, I involved my self in training the young adults in life skills every evening at the V.T.C campus.
The aim of working together and be accountable towards our own actions and values is one way of obtaining new knowledge and skills. It is my intention to improve my personal way of thinking in the light of daily self evaluation. To try that out whether it is in line with what I am aiming at, I involved my self in training the young adults in life skills every evening at the V.T.C campus.
Tuesday 7 October 2008
D.B VTC, Tonj Compound
Don Bosco, Tonj football field for the students of the VTC as well as Primary school. You can just imagine how beautiful is the place. It is under the huge mango trees. In the area where the mnago trees are, there is a dispensary, life skills center, women promotion center. It is all run by the Don Bosco personel. I hope to display more photos when I am down there in two weeks time.
Don Bosco Tonj, VTC Auto-mechanic
Mr. Jim from the United State of America (volunteer) training Mr. Deng how to fix a tire. Deng is 28 years old. His aim of joining Auto-mechanics was to have skills, so that he can be able to work in some of the garage around Tonj or Wau.
Learning from Experience
Working with Norwegian Refugees Council for one year and some months, I had an experience of telling people always what they should do to improve their way of working or practice. For eight months telling the workers what they should do and what they shouldn’t was deteriorating the learning process in the work place. It has become a routine for many workers; hence there was no learning or obtaining skills taking place. At the end of one year, the manager of the project realize a need for changing the system from top-down to down-top to improve the system of telling others what to do, into personal improvement of practice.
My world view of telling people what to do start to change and the question that I asked my self was how I can improve my personal way of work practice in order to influence others for the better development of their skills and knowledge. Based on that I started following the idea of improving my practice, seeing how it goes and continually checking whether it is in line with what I want to happen.
My world view of telling people what to do start to change and the question that I asked my self was how I can improve my personal way of work practice in order to influence others for the better development of their skills and knowledge. Based on that I started following the idea of improving my practice, seeing how it goes and continually checking whether it is in line with what I want to happen.
Data Collection in Southern Sudan, with Special Reference to Vocational Training Centers and Local industries
During one of my journeys between Arusha (Tanzania) and Nairobi, I had sat next to a young couple from Australia as my companions in the bus. The couple is conducting seminars on Empowering youth/adults on life skills (East African Countries, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania). During our long conversation at one point, I asked them for curiosity, how Australia is able to fare well in terms of education, and most of all doing research in vocational fields and equipping other neighboring countries with research methodologies. Furthermore I asked them, the methodologies they normally used when doing research or conducting the seminars with participants. The couple responded that involvement of the indigenous of the area where the research is conducted is the key to develop new knowledge and skills, which a researcher may not have been in picture. They said, when they start conducting seminar in all these countries, they invite people of the area to speak out of what they really need for the local area to prosper in development, because when they give their views, the researcher will be equip with the realistic picture of the local needs. The young couple continued to explain to me on how they also encountered problems doing their researched sometime back, because they used to decide for the people and tell them what to do and how to do it. As researchers, they said, doing data collection in the field of research (with people of the area) does not mean he/she is there to tell the participants what they should do and how to do it but rather as an active participant among them, on the other hand he/she should not get loss in the crowd forgetting the purpose of his/her being among them.
Data Collection in Southern Sudan, with Special Reference to Vocational Training Centers and Local industries
During one of my journeys between Arusha (Tanzania) and Nairobi, I had sat next to a young couple from Australia as my companions in the bus. The couple is conducting seminars on Empowering youth/adults on life skills (East African Countries, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania). During our long conversation at one point, I asked them for curiosity, how Australia is able to fare well in terms of education, and most of all doing research in vocational fields and equipping other neighboring countries with research methodologies. Furthermore I asked them, the methodologies they normally used when doing research or conducting the seminars with participants. The couple responded that involvement of the indigenous of the area where the research is conducted is the key to develop new knowledge and skills, which a researcher may not have been in picture. They said, when they start conducting seminar in all these countries, they invite people of the area to speak out of what they really need for the local area to prosper in development, because when they give their views, the researcher will be equip with the realistic picture of the local needs. The young couple continued to explain to me on how they also encountered problems doing their researched sometime back, because they used to decide for the people and tell them what to do and how to do it. As researchers, they said, doing data collection in the field of research (with people of the area) does not mean he/she is there to tell the participants what they should do and how to do it but rather as an active participant among them, on the other hand he/she should not get loss in the crowd forgetting the purpose of his/her being among them.
Learning from Experience
Working with Norwegian Refugees Council for one year and some months, I had an experience of telling people always what they should do to improve their way of working or practice. For eight months telling the workers what they should do and what they shouldn’t was deteriorating the learning process in the work place. It has become a routine for many workers; hence there was no learning or obtaining skills taking place. At the end of one year, the manager of the project realize a need for changing the system from top-down to down-top to improve the system of telling others what to do, into personal improvement of practice.
My world view of telling people what to do start to change and the question that I asked my self was how I can improve my personal way of work practice in order to influence others for the better development of their skills and knowledge. Based on that I started following the idea of improving my practice, seeing how it goes and continually checking whether it is in line with what I want to happen.
Action for improvement
In my mind, taking action to improve my work practice was the key to obtain new knowledge and skills. The method I use was evaluating the out come of my actions on the daily basis, modify the short comings/problems, ideas and actions in the light of my evaluations. By then my contract with NRC (Norwegian Refugees Council) ended. I apply for another job with Don Bosco Vocational Training center and I was accepted as technical coordinator.
Experience with Don Bosco V.T.C
In the meeting with the staff, prior to the opening of academic year, I invited each of them to be accountable for his/her individual actions and learning. By doing that we are all learning to improve our vocational skills in one way or the other. We will evaluate our work practice every six months to have a room for improvement at the individual level.
The aim of working together and be accountable towards our own actions and values is one way of obtaining new knowledge and skills. It is my intention to improve my personal way of thinking in the light of daily self evaluation. To try that out whether it is in line with what I am aiming at, I involved my self in training the young adults in life skills every evening at the V.T.C campus.
Participatory involvement
In the last two or three years working with Don Bosco V.T.C, I have been personally involved, with a group of peers-ministry youth group, based in Wau, building life skills among young people and adults of the area. The surprise that I encountered is the amount of information that they already have, for instance, the basic facts about HIV/AIDS.
The challenge that I took as a facilitator of the program was reading some concepts about the disease. To examine what I have read, I involve some young adults in some private conversation and I learnt from them new knowledge of how to be faithful and committed to your partner, use of condom, going for test prior to marriage.
To me the understanding I got help out in animating the group in a more reliable participation.
Participatory Action research in the V.T.Cs and Local industries
To build a community of people with knowledge and skills for sustainable development, a researcher need to use participatory action research. Involving people of the V.T.C, local industries and the local community may give more light to the validity of data collected.
My understanding of V.T.C, local community and industries in Wau is not new. People do have some knowledge about the concept of vocational training; they are equip with skills of different areas in vocational practice/fields. However, dialogue with them is of help to generate new knowledge and skills as well as for developing curriculum for VET.
As a practitioner, I need to think of my practice first prior to others, whether what I believe in is helping me develop my vocational skills and knowledge. Stating my learning from experience and making it clear to the participants to how I know what I am doing, and it is helping me developing new skills and knowledge then that probably will influence their experiences in different fields of vocational skills and knowledge.
For instance, I want to become a football player. I need some knowledge about the positions in the field, about the rules and regulations, to mention few. But then I may know all these but has not entered the field. So, then I need skill too; how to trap, how to dodge and how to pass ball. These skills are learnt by repetition, physical practice and eventually make neurological change in my brain. Now to go through this tedious process, one need motivation; why do I want to be a football player? Will I benefit from being a football player? If an individual is motivated to do something, I think the concept of self evaluation is important. At least by evaluating my practices as a football player I may know to what extend is my skills and knowledge as a football player is influencing others. I need to be self reflective, to have a daily assessment whether the goals I set is working in line with what I intent. The idea depends on how you as an individual is able to think and evaluate your way of life. I am convinced that knowledge alone does not bring sustainable development, although the depths of it influence an individual and others. I do need skills on how to combat the situation and put into practice what I do know.
Methodology
I am going to meet different people during my data collection in Southern Sudan particularly Bahr El-Ghazal State, Wau. I am to meet instructors, students, V.T.Cs and people working in the local industries. If necessary the Governor of the state (Wau) plus Minister of Education Science and technology in the local government.
My past experiences indicates to me that, there is a need for me to think of my actions, evaluate them on the daily bases and keep on improving and developing new knowledge and skills as I meet group.
Instructors
I may have a dialogue with head of the departments, introducing myself at the personal level as well as a researcher. I may also ask him to introduce himself, educational background, vocational education and skills he is equip with. I may interview him or her with some questions in order for instructor to reflect and generate information relevant for curriculum development.
Students
I may first introduce myself to them in general and then have them in groups for some sharing, about their families, educational background. I may ask them to discuss about something of great concern that is needed to address at the vocational level. I may help them out to prioritize their needs and the development of that. I may use some videos, interviews, camera without forgetting the log.
Workers at the local industry
Mostly, I may use video, camera and interviews. Asking them their experiences at the local industry, the differences between working at local industry and being in the vocational training center. What is mostly use by people of the area like steel chairs, beds to mention few.
Governor and Minister of Education at the local state
It is not of great important that I should meet the local government personnel. However, having their participation in this process of creating a curriculum for VET is needed. Their contribution may be of help for this program as well as building the nations craftsman knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
As I reflect upon the data collection at V.T.Cs and local industries in Southern Sudan for the development of curriculum, I thought of the following questions as guide for my foot steps.
How do I gather data to show the situation as it is?
How do I gather data to show the situation as it develops?
How do I generate evidence from the data collected?
How do I show that the data collected is influencing my learning/practice?
How do I modify my ideas and practices in light of my daily evaluation?
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi
Learning from Experience
Working with Norwegian Refugees Council for one year and some months, I had an experience of telling people always what they should do to improve their way of working or practice. For eight months telling the workers what they should do and what they shouldn’t was deteriorating the learning process in the work place. It has become a routine for many workers; hence there was no learning or obtaining skills taking place. At the end of one year, the manager of the project realize a need for changing the system from top-down to down-top to improve the system of telling others what to do, into personal improvement of practice.
My world view of telling people what to do start to change and the question that I asked my self was how I can improve my personal way of work practice in order to influence others for the better development of their skills and knowledge. Based on that I started following the idea of improving my practice, seeing how it goes and continually checking whether it is in line with what I want to happen.
Action for improvement
In my mind, taking action to improve my work practice was the key to obtain new knowledge and skills. The method I use was evaluating the out come of my actions on the daily basis, modify the short comings/problems, ideas and actions in the light of my evaluations. By then my contract with NRC (Norwegian Refugees Council) ended. I apply for another job with Don Bosco Vocational Training center and I was accepted as technical coordinator.
Experience with Don Bosco V.T.C
In the meeting with the staff, prior to the opening of academic year, I invited each of them to be accountable for his/her individual actions and learning. By doing that we are all learning to improve our vocational skills in one way or the other. We will evaluate our work practice every six months to have a room for improvement at the individual level.
The aim of working together and be accountable towards our own actions and values is one way of obtaining new knowledge and skills. It is my intention to improve my personal way of thinking in the light of daily self evaluation. To try that out whether it is in line with what I am aiming at, I involved my self in training the young adults in life skills every evening at the V.T.C campus.
Participatory involvement
In the last two or three years working with Don Bosco V.T.C, I have been personally involved, with a group of peers-ministry youth group, based in Wau, building life skills among young people and adults of the area. The surprise that I encountered is the amount of information that they already have, for instance, the basic facts about HIV/AIDS.
The challenge that I took as a facilitator of the program was reading some concepts about the disease. To examine what I have read, I involve some young adults in some private conversation and I learnt from them new knowledge of how to be faithful and committed to your partner, use of condom, going for test prior to marriage.
To me the understanding I got help out in animating the group in a more reliable participation.
Participatory Action research in the V.T.Cs and Local industries
To build a community of people with knowledge and skills for sustainable development, a researcher need to use participatory action research. Involving people of the V.T.C, local industries and the local community may give more light to the validity of data collected.
My understanding of V.T.C, local community and industries in Wau is not new. People do have some knowledge about the concept of vocational training; they are equip with skills of different areas in vocational practice/fields. However, dialogue with them is of help to generate new knowledge and skills as well as for developing curriculum for VET.
As a practitioner, I need to think of my practice first prior to others, whether what I believe in is helping me develop my vocational skills and knowledge. Stating my learning from experience and making it clear to the participants to how I know what I am doing, and it is helping me developing new skills and knowledge then that probably will influence their experiences in different fields of vocational skills and knowledge.
For instance, I want to become a football player. I need some knowledge about the positions in the field, about the rules and regulations, to mention few. But then I may know all these but has not entered the field. So, then I need skill too; how to trap, how to dodge and how to pass ball. These skills are learnt by repetition, physical practice and eventually make neurological change in my brain. Now to go through this tedious process, one need motivation; why do I want to be a football player? Will I benefit from being a football player? If an individual is motivated to do something, I think the concept of self evaluation is important. At least by evaluating my practices as a football player I may know to what extend is my skills and knowledge as a football player is influencing others. I need to be self reflective, to have a daily assessment whether the goals I set is working in line with what I intent. The idea depends on how you as an individual is able to think and evaluate your way of life. I am convinced that knowledge alone does not bring sustainable development, although the depths of it influence an individual and others. I do need skills on how to combat the situation and put into practice what I do know.
Methodology
I am going to meet different people during my data collection in Southern Sudan particularly Bahr El-Ghazal State, Wau. I am to meet instructors, students, V.T.Cs and people working in the local industries. If necessary the Governor of the state (Wau) plus Minister of Education Science and technology in the local government.
My past experiences indicates to me that, there is a need for me to think of my actions, evaluate them on the daily bases and keep on improving and developing new knowledge and skills as I meet group.
Instructors
I may have a dialogue with head of the departments, introducing myself at the personal level as well as a researcher. I may also ask him to introduce himself, educational background, vocational education and skills he is equip with. I may interview him or her with some questions in order for instructor to reflect and generate information relevant for curriculum development.
Students
I may first introduce myself to them in general and then have them in groups for some sharing, about their families, educational background. I may ask them to discuss about something of great concern that is needed to address at the vocational level. I may help them out to prioritize their needs and the development of that. I may use some videos, interviews, camera without forgetting the log.
Workers at the local industry
Mostly, I may use video, camera and interviews. Asking them their experiences at the local industry, the differences between working at local industry and being in the vocational training center. What is mostly use by people of the area like steel chairs, beds to mention few.
Governor and Minister of Education at the local state
It is not of great important that I should meet the local government personnel. However, having their participation in this process of creating a curriculum for VET is needed. Their contribution may be of help for this program as well as building the nations craftsman knowledge and skills.
Conclusion
As I reflect upon the data collection at V.T.Cs and local industries in Southern Sudan for the development of curriculum, I thought of the following questions as guide for my foot steps.
How do I gather data to show the situation as it is?
How do I gather data to show the situation as it develops?
How do I generate evidence from the data collected?
How do I show that the data collected is influencing my learning/practice?
How do I modify my ideas and practices in light of my daily evaluation?
By Paul Tartisio Kenyi
Action for improvement
In my mind, taking action to improve my work practice was the key to obtain new knowledge and skills. The method I use was evaluating the out come of my actions on the daily basis, modify the short comings/problems, ideas and actions in the light of my evaluations. By then my contract with NRC (Norwegian Refugees Council) ended. I apply for another job with Don Bosco Vocational Training center and I was accepted as technical coordinator.
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