Francistown, Botswana, 11 November 2016 -  Botswana National TB Program held Training of Trainers Workshop, in collaboration with the City of Francistown, with the objective of building a network of trainers that are skilled in training methodologies meant to improve TB Programme performance outcomes. These trainers will in turn capacitate District Health Care workers on TB management. This was necessitated by the changing landscape of TB and attrition of current trainers.

The training commenced with a set of presentations to orientate the participants on new developments in TB management, including changes in the WHO guidelines and the End TB strategy. Emphasis was laid on critical characteristics of a facilitator, particularly in relation to adult learners and skill acquisition. A particular skill that was highlighted was the ability to appreciate and work with a learner’s real life experiences to enhance learning. Furthermore, the trainers were urged to energize training through utilization of all three teaching styles - the visual, auditory and tactile, which complement each other and optimize the understanding and learning process. 

The participants were individually assigned topics on which they prepared presentations and conducted teaching practice while being assessed by facilitators and colleagues. The assessment tool had criteria against which participants were graded. These included preparation on the subject matter, engagement of trainees, audibility, confidence, utilization of all learning styles and display of the knowledge and skills on the subject matter. Afterwards, the participants were given positive feedback on their strong areas and advised to improve on the weak points. Those that did not perform well had to do another session of teach-back while supported again by the facilitators and colleagues.

At the end of the workshop participants drafted training plans for their respective districts. The training was deemed successful as evidenced by most of the participants displaying good performance in teach-back methods. The evaluation of the workshop by participants was positive as they appreciated it as a good learning experience. 

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For further information please contact: 

Ms B Ramontshonyana, NPO/TUB, gasennelweb [at] who.int

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01 Participants listening to a demonstration of teaching methods

02 A participant delivering teach-back practice