Overseas training programmes: Expert advocates monitoring, evaluation mechanism
NAN-HE-12
Training
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) A development and training expert, Dr Kayode Ogungbuyi on Thursday advocated effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism to improve overseas training programmes by Nigerians.
Ogungbuyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that most participants that went overseas for training programmes came back to the country without any tangible results.
He said that some participants particularly, from the public sector came back with nothing tangible since there were no means to monitor and evaluate the programmes.
“There is no means to monitor and evaluate those programmes thus no implementation of the knowledge learnt when trainees return to their workplace, so there will not be added value.
“Foreign trainings are required in some instances as the new knowledge, skills and aptitude being offered is not available here.
“We need to develop appropriate training institutions locally and personnel to implement the course designed to fill the skill gap.’’
Ogunguyi however said that continuous learning and development were necessary for all trainers and trainees to improve the quality of local training, “or else we will be stuck with out-dated ideas’’.
“We need to develop necessary skills to prepare required curriculum, re-orientate ourselves on the benefits of self and continuous development, and be willing to share and not hoard knowledge,’’ he said.
Ogungbuyi said that the Federal Government needed political will to reduce the huge financial losses to foreign trainings.
The expert also advised the Federal Government to train budget officers to address the challenge of alleged budget padding.
“Budget padding is not new or limited to Nigeria. It is called ‘Pork belly in American politics; training of budget officers may help if they are sincere in implementing what they learnt.
“Misapplication of budgeted sums is also a common scenario as was the example of the probing of defence spending.
“We need to re-orientate ourselves as a people to address these shortcomings,’’ he said. (NAN)
CIA/COA/GY
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Edited by Constance Athekame
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