9

Transcript

Hello Friends. In our last class, we were discussing about the concept of motivation and its importance for the extension professionals and the process of extension. With the background of understanding the concept and process of extension. Now we will be moving on to the issues associated with the programme planning. Programme is basically an educational job being done in a particular setting. Because we are trying to set a make a particular decision under a particular situation. So that is what we are going to develop it as a program. Basically the definition of programme planning goes like this. Extension programme is a statement of situation, objectives, problems and solutions. All the things that are essential for addressing a issue are part of the programme of extension. Wherein we said that it is a statement of situation. What is the current position? Then the second one is the objectives. How we are going to address that and what are the desired situations. Then the third one is the solution. How what are the desired situations? And the fourth one is the problems as well as the solutions. All the things are part of the extension programme.

Planning is basically the process of studying the past and the present. Process of studying the past and present for the purpose of forecasting future. The moment we understand the past and the present situation. Obviously we can plan for the future. So there is a saying which goes like this. He who can look into deepest into the past can look farthest into the future. So they establish a direct relationship between the past and the future. If I can understand the history of about 100 years. It means in a perfect manner, I can visualize the things that may happen in the coming 100 years. So that is what is the relationship between the past, present as well as the future.

Now coming to the concept of programme planning. Basically programme planning is a decision making process. A series of decisions that are being taken up as a part of programme planning process, which involves the critical analysis of existing situation. The problems, evaluation of the various alternatives. To solve the problems which are identified as a part of the programming planning process. And selection of the relevant ones giving necessary priorities based upon the local needs and resources. So prioritization of the problem is another important aspect of program planning. So there are good number of problems that the community or the society or the farmers or our client groups are facing. But which one is to be taken up as number one, and which one to be taken up next in the sequence. So that is what is the process of decision making. So the base for that is the local needs and the resources that are available in that particular locality. Based on that the process of program planning takes the decision and starts implementing the program. So there might be the situation, the resources are available at the local level. And based on that we are addressing a particular problem. But there are other problems, wherein we need to arrange the resources from different corners and accordingly it takes bit time and as per the priority it takes bit back seat. So arrangement of these resources as well as addressing these local needs, based on the cooperative efforts of the people, both official as well as non-official. This is another crucial aspect of program planning, implementation and evaluation process.

The important issue is, it is not that only the government can address or the established institutions can address the problems or only the local communities. Both these units have to come together to address that particular issue, which is the invariable part of the program planning process. With a view to facilitate the individual and community growth and ultimately to reach the development. In this entire concept of program planning we try to address the issues like analysis of existing situation. Identification of the problem, setting of the priorities in the form of objectives, analyzing the locally available resources, prioritizing the needs based on the availability of the resources, and arranging the resources from different corners. And bringing the local communities as well as the institutions together, ultimately to address the problems of the community. So that is what is the complete process of program planning.

Now the question comes why we should have a program. The reasons behind having a program is to ensure the careful consideration of what is to be done and why. In each and every effort of an extension. So there is a specific reason behind a particular activity.So that needs to be addressed with the help of this written document, that is why we are going to have the program. To furnish the guide against which to judge all new proposals. It is just like the process of Management By Objectives, wherein we are setting certain priorities and we are meeting out those priorities, and ultimately we are evaluating what are the things that have been addressed, which are left out. This is the program is also going to serve the same purpose. To establish the objectives towards which the progress can be measured and evaluated, so that that becomes the perfect base for your evaluation. Then ensure the continuity during the change in case of personal, may it be a private institution or a public institution. These are the inevitable processes. So having the written program is going to ensure that we can continue with the program to help develop leadership.

By identifying the problems. By identifying the, understanding the situations, the individual can emerge as leader, while implementing the program, while evaluating the program, while reconsidering the objectives. Then restarting the program. Then justify the expenditure to ensure flow of funds, we need the planned program. And to avoid the waste of time and money. And promote efficiency, the written program is going to support you. And to have available in written form a statement for the public use. Now we have the facilities like getting the information under the Right to Information Act, wherein we can supply the desired communities.

Then coming to the principles of extension program planning. Extension program planning should be based on the analysis of the past experiences, present situation and future needs. You see the things are very clear here. So past experiences, present situation and the future needs is going to be the base for extension program. It should have the clear and significant objectives. When we say that objectives, there are different levels of objectives. Maybe it is fundamental objectives, the specific objective. All these things are to be defined before beginning the program. And that is what is part of the program planning process.

Then fixing the priority based on the availability of the time and resources. We have been emphasizing on identification of the resources, development of the resources, management of the resources. And that is what is as a part of the program planning process. Also the extension programs are going to fix the priority based on the availability of time and resources. Clearly indicate the availability and utilization of resources. What type of resources are needed at what point of time and how they are going to be utilized. Then should have general agreement at various levels, so that the program can be implemented in a smooth manner at different levels. Maybe it is the planning stage, maybe it is the implementing stage, maybe it is the completion stage or evaluation and reconsideration stage. Then should involve the relevant institutions and organizations, which are essential for successful implementation of the program, successful planning of the program and successful evaluation of the program. Should have a definite plan of work which says that it is the statement of what is to be done and why. So wherein we are trying to define that, which becomes the base for taking up the activities.

Then program planning should provide for evaluation of results and reconsideration of the program, which is part of the program planning process. It is an inbuilt mechanism that is available. Then it should provide equitable distribution of benefits among the members of the community. So based on their abilities, based on their skills, based on their needs, the outcomes of the program planning process should reach the target communities. So that is what is the principle of program planning. Coming to the nature of program planning. Basically it is an educational process involving both teaching as well learning process. In the process of analysis of situation to its evaluation and reconsideration, there are good number of things that we can learn as well as teach. And basically the process of program planning is unifying and integrating process. So by analyzing the situation, by understanding the existing situation and anticipating the future, and achieving the objectives it is going to integrate the entire process. And basically it is a coordination process, wherein good number of institutions are coming into the picture, maybe it is the grassroots level organization, the public organization, the private organization, the non governmental organization. Various institutions are coming together, wherein coordination is essential.

Then coming to the essentials of the program planning. Number one is, the situation. We have already said about this, that is it is the statement of affairs including the social, cultural and economic, physical conditions which defines the existing situation. Then the aim that is generalized broad statement of direction in which the program is to be planned and implemented and what are the anticipated, expected results. Objectives, expression of the ends towards which the efforts are being directedthe goals, how to achieve this particular goal are going to be clarified. Then the problem. Problem is the condition or the situation where the people after study with or without outside help, decide that there is a need for changing, because problem itself is a crisis situation, conflicting situation. That depends on what type of issues you are facing, and ultimately that needs to be changed, which is essential part of your program.

The plan of work wherein you are outlining the activities for execution of the program, and accordingly the program is being implemented. Then the calendar of work, wherein the activities to be undertaken in a particular time sequence are mentioned as a part of this calendar of work. It starts with the first step and it ends upto the evaluation. Then coming to the reasons why the programs fail. Because many times we come across that there is a failure of program. The reasons behind the failure of a program include. The first one is the lack of commitment. So it maybe the professional who is beginning with the program, as at the level of analysis of the situation. There is lack of commitment and because of that it is going to add on to the failures and ultimately, the program is going to be a failure. Lack of the meaningful objectives and goals. It means there is lack of understanding of the existing situation and because of that the objectives set are not appropriate. And because of that the program is going to fail. It is a chain reaction as it happens in case of chemical equations.

Then failure to develop implementing strategies. The program has been conceived in an excellent manner, planned in an excellent manner. But when it comes to the implementation of the program, there are good number of issues, because we don’t have appropriate implementation strategy. Even if we look at good number of the developmental programs that are being implemented in today’s context, so we find many issues associated with its implementation and implementation strategy. So there is the blame game between the Center and State, State and the District, District and the Block, Block and; and it continues. It continues because of lack of appropriate strategy, the program is not being implemented and ultimately it’s going to be a failure. Then excessive reliance on experience. Maybe the past experiences are there, so excessive reliance on that past experiences may lead to the program failure. And failure to identify the limiting factors in in case of earlier programs, as well as the current existing program also is one of the reason for failure in the program. Then the lack of organizational support at different levels; starting from your village level, the block level, the district level, the State level as well as the top level or the Union Government level or Central level.

Then resistance to change is another important issue. Because the entire process of development, we try to identify it as the change in the practices, the change in the behavior. So when we change ourselves, so that change is termed as development. Whenever we are going to achieve this particular change or intended to achieve this particular change, there is a resistance. So that is why we say that, it is said that development is a very slow process. And development or the change always offers resistance. And because of that one of the reason for failure of the program. With this now coming to the conclusion. The success or the failure of extension professional depends on his ability to plan and implement the program. Because an extension professional at every point of time, he is involved in the process of program planning, or its implementation or its evaluation. It is his skill to plan the program, implement the program, work the program. Then reconsider it and again start with another program. Then it is conscious and deliberate intervention to introduce change in the target communities, until and unless he understands the concept and process of program planning, he cannot develop an appropriate plan and implement for the benefit of the target communities for which he is working with.

So with this we are coming to the end of the discussion on the meaning and process of program planning. In the next class we will be discussing about the steps in program development.

Thank You