Grassroots University - Entrepreneur Development

 

HUMAN & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

(Bottom up development)

see also Private Sector Study |

 

Institutionalisation of PV

There is a growing demand from requests for PV to be institutionalized. In other words there is a growing need for PV to be introduced into the formal education system.

There are several reasons for this demand:

1. Leaders, educationalists, institutions and the people are looking for a relevant education syllabus.

2. Schools are trying to find ways to solve the annual school fees problem.

3. Many people wish to attend PV but they cannot find the K250 course fee to attend.

4. Some churches are trying to find ways to incorporate PV into their programs.

5. Provincial Governments are trying to find ways to become financially autonomous.

However, PV cannot be institutionalized in the normal sense. PV is a practical process for life. Thinking is a process. PV is not a “content” syllabus.

Teachers through lectures, discussions and blackboard presentations deliver most content subjects. Students normally learn by listening, memorizing and writing.  However any “process” subjects must, of necessity, be learnt (practiced) in the work place.

If “process” subjects were taught only in the classroom, students would find it very hard to implement it after they leave the classroom. “Process” subjects must be learnt in “doing” and not just by listening and writing. In addition, good habits can only be instilled in a person through practice and repetition.

 

Formal Education

The EDTC Personal Viability Training Course focuses on informal education, that is the family. Here we encourage parents to pass on the knowledge at home and, more importantly, practice what they have learned. PV HomeSchool is designed to support and accelerate this practical learning process.  The so-called “Grasruts Yunivesiti”  currently is at home.

Because of the bottom-up nature of PV, it is necessary to concentrate on the family first.

However, after the first five years in the informal sector, and with encouragement from students & teachers alike, it was time to plan and develop PV in the formal education sector.

The plan is for each province to develop at least one “Grassroots University of Life”. The object of this is to provide an alternative to existing education system that focuses on holistic human development and:

·    To cater for the 50,000 or so students that “drop-out” of the existing education system each year.

·    To cater for those who do not have the opportunity to attend the existing education system.

·    To cater for those who are not academically inclined.

·    To promote rural development.

·    To promote self-reliance.

·    To promote self-employment.

·    To help alleviate law and order problems in PNG.

 

It is not enough to teach people what to do, we must show people how to do it.

Aims of Grassroot University of Life.

 

1. Training of Trainers or Teachers.

2. Research, Design & Develop Training Materials.

3. Printing of Materials.

4. Technological Research.

5. Cultural Research.

6. Tok Ples Translations.

7. Management.

8. Supervision.

9. Market Surveys.

10. Product Development.

11. Processing.

12. Banking Facilities & Services.

13. Trading Post.

14. Communications.

15. Overall Strategic Planning & Coordination.

16. In-service Programs.

17. Library.

18. Sales & Supply.

 

Funding.

Funding of the Grassroot University of Life shall come from several sources.

These include Provincial Governments, donor agencies, financial institutions, private contributions and using PNG’s abundant natural & human resources.

GUL Organisation

 

Ownership

A non-profit making Trust Company shall be formed for the people of PNG to “own” the facilities.

 

Board of Governors

Regional or Provincial “GRASRUT YUNIVERSITI OF LIFE” (GUL) shall have a board of management made up of community leaders. The Board shall provide the leadership and overall control of GUL.

It is proposed that Governors shall included representatives from the private sector who are prepared to help the grassroot people of Papua New Guinea.

It is essential that GUL is not tied to government bureaucracy. GUL must be allowed to flourish creatively without unnecessary constraints and control.

 

Management

Management shall be provided by the people with a Silver PV Grading and must hold a current PV and EBD Trainer’s license.

 

Extension Supervisors

Extension supervisors for rural industries shall be seconded from the government and some shall be recruited from the private sector.

The role of extension supervisors is to set up rural industries models at the GUL training centre first, for training purposes. Secondly, extension supervisors shall supervise the people, who have successfully completed training, to develop their "nucleus estate" industry on their own land.

EDTC Personal Viability grading is an integral part of the supervision team.

 

Consultancy, Supervision and Training

Entrepreneurial Development Training Centre Ltd, owner of the EDTC Personal Viability Training Program, shall provide consultancy, Supervision and Training.

 

Land and Buildings

This proposal requires an area of approximately 100 hectares of land with good soil, fairly flat with abundant all year round water supply and in close proximity to basic infrastructures and services.

Concerned land-owners from some provinces have already agreed to donate land to establish “Grasruts Yunivesiti”.

Arrangements are well under way to acquire the rights to use customary land on a lease-lease back system within current land laws of PNG.

Furthermore, agreements are being negotiated to include the active participation of land-owners to develop their respective land and province.

 

Land allocation:

1. Buildings - 5 hectares.

2. 15 blocks of agriculture & livestock farms - 15 x 5 hectares = 75 hectares.

3. Recreation, roads and other infrastructures - 20 hectares.

Total 100 hectares.

 

Buildings.

Buildings required include:

q Administration & Training room (100 people).

q Research & development.

q Accommodation for 30 men & 30 women.

q Church.

q Staff quarters for 10 people.

q Toilets & showers.

q Recreation room.

Building costs are estimated to amount to K3-5 million.

Land required for buildings is estimated to be 5 hectares.

Rural Industries Development Costs & Infrastructures.

Rural industries modules will be developed stage by stage as funds are available. At least K1 million will be required to set up basic needs such as:

q Water reticulation.

q Power.

q Workshops.

q Industrial kitchen.

q Sawmill.

q Joinery workshop.

q Marine products processing workshop.

q Demonstration Farming blocks.

q Demonstration livestock (including poultry) breeding blocks.

 

15 farming demonstration models of 5 hectares blocks shall provide the basis of practical training in agriculture industries, rural housing etc.

The remaining land shall be identified for recreation and other use, such as cultural centers for arts & crafts and cottage industries.

Rural Industries.

Industries to be set up include:

q SAWN TIMBER

q JOINERY

q RURAL HOUSING

q COOKING- BANANA, SAGO, COCONUT, TARO, KAUKAU, TAPIOCA

q MARINE PRODUCTS

q POULTRY

q PIGS

q MINI-HYDRO

q VEGETABLE & FRUIT FARMING

q WOOD CARVING

q WEAVING

q RATTAN CANE

q MUSIC

q CULTURE

GUL Curriculum

 

Training Programs

Entrepreneurial Development Training Centre Ltd shall develop training programs.

 

Some of the subjects to be taught at the GUL include:

n TALENT

n VALUE ADDED PRINCIPLE

n WISDOM

n HUMAN VALUES

n CULTURAL VALUES

n PARENTING

n PARADIGM

n PV CULTURE

n THINKING

n HOW TO FRAME QUESTIONS

n HOW TO FRAME ANSWERS

n GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

n VALUE-ADDED CONCEPTS TO BENEFIT ALL PARTIES

n ENERGETIC FOLLOW-THROUGH

n BUSINESS COURSES

 

Because formal education requires consent and support from (National?) Provincial and Local Level Governments, it is necessary to commence dialogue with proper provincial authorities to obtain formal approval.

In the meantime, there are a number of PV courses being planned for teachers in-service to gain more support and recognition of the value of PV education.