The effectiveness of the cascade model in the in-service training of adult basic education and training (ABET) educators in the North West Province

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of the cascade model in the in-service training of ABET educators in the North West Province with special reference to its dissemination and application at the workplace. To seek an overview of longer term gain from the cascade model of training, the Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation was employed. The evaluation sought to obtain post training perception of the effectiveness of training and its longer term impact. To achieve this goal, qualitative and quantitative research approaches were employed to gather information. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the biographic information of 103 ABET educators from five Area Project Offices and to determine factors that impede or facilitate the effectiveness of the cascade model of training. Also, interviews were conducted with one ABET Provincial trainer and five APO ABET specialists. This study's significant contributions are its realization that ABET educators are not adequately involved in the planning of their in-service training programme. It further identifies nine factors that impede the effectiveness of the cascade model of training. The factors include the existence of gaps between the training of various levels, inadequate resources for training at the centre levels, negative attitudes of colleagues at the cantres, insufficient knowledge of ABET educators to conduct workshops at their centres, misinterpretation of information and ABET educators not confident to cascade what they have learned from the in-service workshops, low morale of ABET educators, pressures of work and limited time at the centres to cascade training to colleagues, ABET educator's attrition, among others. To circumvent these factors, this study recommends twelve intervention mechanisms namely: involving ABET educators in the planning of their in-service training, basing training on careful assessment of ABET educators' needs, using work-related situations in training, providing support during training, limiting time gaps between the training of various cascade levels, evaluating the impact of in-service training, among others. Finally the study suggested areas of further study on ABET educators' attrition, ABET educators' conditions of service and transfer of learning and the cost-effectiveness of the cascade model and the quality of in-service training of ABET educators. Insights from this study are beneficial to educators, educational managers, policy makers, in-service trainers, NGOs, researchers, facilitators and students.