The effectiveness of training in public sector organisations: A case study of the College of the Arts in Windhoek, Namibia
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Date
2014
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Abstract
This study focused on investigating the effectiveness of in-service training programs
provided to lecturers at the College of the Arts. The objectives of the study were: to
investigate the effectiveness of the in-service training programs at the College of the
Arts for the upgrading of teaching skills and specialist subject knowledge of
academic staff members and to identify how these in-service training programs can
successfully be used to improve the performance of academic staff members at
College of the Arts. The study adopted a mixed research approach of qualitative and quantitative methods, made used of a multiple case study design to collect data through interviews as well as conducting lesson observations. The study also employed a descriptive design, and used close ended questions to gather data through questionnaires. Content analysis method was used to analyse the qualitative data. Quantitative data were processed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM version 21 software package and descriptive statistics was used to interpret the participants’ responses. The methodological triangulation of data was accomplished through the use of data obtained through the interviews, observations and questionnaires. The outcome of the research depicted that lecturers at the College of the Arts are qualified artists but are not professionally trained teachers and would therefore find it difficult to effectively transfer knowledge to the students. The study also found that the majority of in-service training courses provided by the College of the Arts for the lecturers are not related to the upgrading of teaching and methodological skills of lecturers. The study recommended that the College of the Arts should set up a training and performance evaluation committee consisting of management members, representatives of the College of the Arts’ lecturers, a Chief Arts Educational Officer, and the President of the Student Representative Council of the College of the Arts. This committee should be required to review the current training and performance evaluation policies of College of the Arts and align these policies with the College of the Arts objectives. The College of the Arts should urge all lecturers to pursue a teaching qualification while on employment. The College of the Arts should raise the understanding of the importance of the vocation of arts teaching and education by exposing its lecturers to new sets of standards, new methodologies and new artistic trends. It is further recommended that lecturers should ensure that their teaching is guided by
clearly written lesson plans that encourage the development of critical thinking,
problem solving and performance skills.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration
Keywords
Training effectiveness, College of the Arts, Public sector, Namibia