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ESF Project No. 5:
Initiating and Managing Community-based Lifelong Learning Centres
executed by the Foundation for Educational Services (FES)Project Update
Report covering period January to September 2005
Introductory Note
This report covers the period January to September 2005. Following the recruitment of key project personnel, a course for a group of potential Lifelong Learning Centre Organisers was initiated in January 2005. During this training process, Centre Organisers-in-training were undertook a practicum in order to initiate community-based processes leading to the establishment of a number of Lifelong Learning Centres. Such processes were facilitated in eight (8) localities in order to identify the most robust structures that would make project sustainability feasible. Currently, processes are underway in seven (7) localities, two more than envisaged.
Non-directive participatory community work is an open-ended process that requires a sustained presence and nurturing in order to promote a readiness amongst community members to start exploring the tapping of a range of new learning opportunities designed to fulfill self-expressed learning needs. Through community outreach work that included both informal contacts as well as formal ones such as meetings with community based organizations, the Centre Organizers have organized a range of short training courses for residents in their locality. Trainers on the project roster have been mobilized to deliver such courses. As community members started appreciating the benefits of non-formal educational courses for their lives and work, requests for follow-up or new courses increased.
A data-base of courses offered within the project framework is being maintained at FES highlighting the particular lifelong learning domain each course links up to, in line with the EU document entitled Key Competences for Lifelong Learning – a European Reference Framework , Annex 2 of the Progress Report of the Working Group (Implementation of the Education and Training 2010 Work Programme) chaired by Tapio Saavala .
Operations at different localities
Below is a brief overview of learning opportunities being created at community level in the localities of Zejtun, Birkirkara, Zabbar, Hamrun, Birgu, Zebbug, and Senglea.
Zejtun
At this community, a collaborative working relationship has been established with the Local Council, state schools and the Paulo Freire Institute. In April 2005, the first programme took off at Zejtun with the collaboration of the Locality Council, with 20 female adult learners attending the ‘Communication in a Foreign Language' programme which ran over a whole term of the scholastic year. In collaboration with the Association of School Councils, 22 women followed one/two modules in civic competencies. Operations at Zejtun continued in partnership with Fondazzjoni Arka with courses on Maltese Literacy using IT for adult with a disability residing in two Arka community homes. In partnership with the Paulo Freire Institute, a number of courses were organized including one for 11 men unfamiliar with the use of computers.
Birkirkara
A course using the community radio as a medium was broadcasted on the subject of ‘the application of Thinking Skills in our daily life'. A course on the preparation of a CV was also held at the community library using IT equipment there. Other courses for residents are being developed in partnership with the St Aloysius College using College infrastructure and facilities.
Zabbar
A working relationship was nurtured and strengthened with the Local Council and Parish. The Local Council offered FES the use of office space and training hall. Residents participated in adult learning programmes on subjects which they considered essential for their life and work prospects. Courses themes suggested by residents and already delivered include ‘Customer Care Skills', and ‘Leadership Skills'. These were in demand and repeated for different learners. Following the summer months when many of the residents leave Zabbar, a number of courses are now being developed.
Hamrun
The Hamrun Centre Organisers in conjunction with the Hamrun-based Malta Resource Centre ran a number of courses for leaders of community based and national NGOs working in the anti-poverty field. Courses focused on such themes as Planning of Resources, Problem Solving and Decision Making, Thinking Skills, Managing Information, Managing and Coping with Stress, Team Building and Motivation Skills, Communication Skills, Building a CV and Basic Skills, Literacy and Numeracy Skills, Job Seeking and Relationship Skills, Volunteers' Skills, Presentation and Public Skills, Self-Awareness Skills.
Birgu
A working relationship has been built with the Local Council and local state schools. No culture exists where residents follow courses to enhance their skills and competencies. Thus, the past months have concentrated on slowly nurturing a readiness to consider lifelong learning opportunities. Courses on Self-Esteem and Interpersonal Skills have been completed. Another course on IT Awareness for Adults with a Disability is still running. Other opportunities are being developed.
Zebbug
Zebbug residents in general are extremely keen to avail themselves of new learning opportunities being created at community level. A range of courses based on indicated themes started in August 2005. Themes range from: Basic Computer Skills for 8 different groups, Advanced Computer Skills for 7 different groups, Introduction to ECDL for 2 different groups, Introduction to First Aid / Health & Safety, Personal Care (in Modules) for 4 different groups, Basic English and Maltese. Discussions are in progress on other courses with entities in Zebbug having requested such opportunities after it was found that knowledge in certain areas could lead to better chances of employability or multi-skilling.
Senglea
The Lifelong Learning Centre in Senglea, like that of Zabbar, is creating a widespread awareness of the benefits of pursuing lifelong learning opportunities. Courses in Customer Care Skills and Personal Care for Life and Work are in demand. Other courses delivered are on Applying for a Job, Self Esteem, Introduction to Computers, Basic Literacy in English for 2 groups, CV Writing and Interviewing Skills. A course schedule until December has already been fixed. An innovative Course for adults with a son/daughter with a disability on Disability Issues including education, training and employment is being run.
Centre Organisers
Soon after their appointment, a number of Centre Organisers had been engaged and trained. Some of these, finding the commitment on the project too much to contend with or perhaps harder and heavier than expected, opted to leave after a few months. However those others that continued prove to be valid contributors to the successful running of the project. Recent appointments of Centre Organisers strengthened the staff complement operating at this level. Presently these officers are undergoing their traineeship. 10 Lifelong Learning Centres are currently providing service in 7 localities.
Trainers
Of the 55 posts of Trainers, 30 have so far been engaged to provide training in one or more of the 7 LLL localities. Courses are being organized at all times of day and weekdays to fit adult learners' needs. Trainers are matched according to specific competence, experience and availability. Feedback received from learners is very positive in this regard. It is envisaged that by the end of this year all trainers that have been selected will have been matched to a course/locality and to provide service through the project.
Procedures Manual
As the project now unfolds and develops with a certain amount of consistency and furthermore from the experience gained so far at all levels of operations, one cannot say that it must contain hard and fast rules in order to set the pattern straight. Apart from the fact that a Procedures Manual is part of an undertaking within the project, yet, its compilation can be utilised as an essential intrument for use by all parties to the project. The intention behind this manual is to model a future Community Centres and use of certain sections can be considered more of a collection of guidelines or a handbook rather than as a doctrine for all stakeholders to follow rigidly and scrupolously. The reason for deviating from the use certain parts of this manual is that localities differ in their thinking, acting and attitudes, lifestyles or community traditions. Nevertheless such a Manual remains a useful tool which is being prepared by the Project Co-ordinator who is collating material from feedback over a period of time.
Co-ordination and Administration
The day-to-day administration of the Project is catered for by one administrator, who somehow manages to see to the needs of all administrative requirements and demands. The Project Co-ordinator as the name implies plans and directs incoming and outgoing work from the central office to and from centre organisers with whom he keeps regular contact electronically and regular meetings or training sessions. The work of both the Project Co-ordinator and that of the Administrator is done under the direction of the Chief Executive and Senior Executive of FES who specify the policies to be adopted, decide on issues of a certain importance, bring into focus certain grey areas of the project or interpret guidelines that require fine tuning and policy decision making.
Conclusion
Detailed statistics of the project activities covered and mentioned in previous paragraphs are presented in the appended enclosures therefore form part of this report. Figures add up to the following state of matters as at end August 2005 :- ESF Staff at FES Office, Community Centres, Centre Organisers, Trainers, Number of Courses (centrally organised), Number of Courses (organised in communities), Participants (Female and Male), Number of Premises utilised. The overall situation compares favourably with the footprint plan of the project and credit is due to the ESF unit within FES that this is recorded. In so far as achievements the following have been obtained with regard to :- Trainers 55%, Opening of Community Centres exceeded the 5 Centres, and for Participants reaching the 30% mark, thus after the slow down of summer and with some more months to go there is every probability to attain the remaining objectives of the Project.
Report ESF Jan – Sept 2005 Appendix ‘A'
List of Courses organised
Training for Centre Organisers
Litterizmu tal-Familja (Zejtun)
Training for Active Citizen Participation at community level through Schools Councils (Centrally organised)
Training for Parent Leaders
Thinking Skills for Life and Work (B'Kara Radio, Hamrun – 2 Groups)
How to build a CV (B'Kara, Hamrun)
Customer Care (Zabbar)
Leadership Skills Grp A+B (Zabbar)
Literacy through IT (Zejtun)
Planning of Resources (Hamrun)
Problem Solving & Decision Making (Hamrun)
Managing Information (Hamrun)
Managing and Coping with Stress (Hamrun)
Introduction to Computers Pt 1, (Zejtun & Senglea - 2 Groups ea)
Introduction to Computers Pt 2, (Zejtun)
Customer Care Skills & Personal Care (Senglea)
Applying for a Job (Senglea, Hamrun)
Self-Esteem (Senglea)
Training Parent Volunteers to Promote Reading through Local and Regional Libraries (Cottonera Region)
IT Awareness for Adults with a Disability (Birgu)
Disability Issues (Birgu)
Self-Esteem and Interpersonal Skills (Birgu)
Litteracy – Basic English (Fgura, Senglea)
Personal Care Module 1, (Senglea & Zebbug – 2 Groups ea)
Communication Skills (Hamrun-2 Groups)
Team Building & Motivation Skills (Hamrun)
Basic Skills (Hamrun)
Basic Computer Skills (Zebbug- 7 Groups)
Advanced Computer Skills (Zebbug- 7 Groups)
Introduction to ECDL (Zebbug – 2 Groups)
Introduction to First Aid / Health & Safety (Zebbug)
CV Writing & Interviewing Skills (Senglea)
Litteracy & Numeracy (Hamrun)
Inter-Personal Relationship and Communication Skills (Hamrun)
Volunteers' Management (Hamrun)
Presentation & Public Speaking (Hamrun)
Self Awareness Skills (Hamrun)
tel: (00356) 21455600/607/653 Ext.139 fax: 00356 21455625
e-mail: communitylearning.fes@gov.mt
