BLENDED TRAINING FOR IMPROVING MARKET-BASED SANITATION IN ETHIOPIA
USAID Transform WASH has consistently worked to improve capacity for market-based sanitation in Ethiopia. As part of these efforts, a new online course was developed to introduce virtual learners to the topic. As part of testing the course, from the 10th to the 12th of May 2022, a blended training — mixing online and in-person learning — was organized in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The training was joined by twenty-two people from national and regional government offices (e.g., health and job creation), national training institutes (technical and vocational training centers and the Ethiopian Water Technology Institute), and microfinance institutions (savings and credit associations, and banks), and development partners.
First, participants individually took the 12- hour online course, ‘’Market-Based Sanitation: The Basics,’’ then participated in face-toface presentations by experts on the critical content of the online course, followed by group discussions.
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH SANITATION AS A BUSINESS AND LEARNING ONLINE
Participants came with very mixed backgrounds and levels of experience with market-based sanitation. Most had never previously taken an online course and struggled with registration and set-up. But participants expressed satisfaction with the mix of in-person support and online coursework. After completing each session, facilitators provided summary presentations, and participants actively joined discussions. They discussed the implementation of marketbased sanitation on the ground and shared best practices from different parts of the country. After three days of blended training, twenty of the twenty-two participants completed the online course and earned their certificates. They found the self-study through the online course motivating because it enabled them to visualize their progress. In addition, it spurred them on to engage actively with the materials.
Participants liked the online content on market based sanitation, especially experiences from around the globe presented in short texts, videos, and animations. The course provides additional resources such as tools and manuals mixed with exercises and reflection in online forum discussions. The presentations by experts brought in more examples from the Ethiopian context, to which they could relate, and helped resolve issues. The lively group discussions allowed for further sharing of experiences with market-based sanitation.
The training developed my confidence. When I passed the tests online and earned the certificate, I felt so proud. I will now continue with other courses on the platform.’ Shitahun Yirsaw, Amhara Cooperative Agency Participants also felt that using a blended learning approach made replicating the training at regionaland district levels easier. In addition, inviting other colleagues to follow the free online course made it easier to pass on knowledge compared to using a simple training manual.
The course taught me that sanitation is an untapped business opportunity for the jobless youths.’ — Dibaba Hordofa, Oromia job creation agency. ‘Some of the challenges that I heard from small and micro-enterprises that benefited from the loan we provided for slab manufacturing are like enterprises in other countries, I understood from the course. So, this gives us confidence in delivering loans even if there are problems’ — Bati Woldao, the Sinke bank.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Basics of Market-based Sanitation The 12-hour online course brings together the latest thinking from around the world on enabling the private sector to offer more products and services for improved and safely managed household sanitation.It has been developed by IRC, with the support of USAID Transform WASH, in collaboration with PSI and Water For People. The course aims to equip users with insights and tools on the role of market-based sanitation in creating the robust systems needed for universal and lasting sanitation services. By the end of the course, users will understand the role of market-based sanitation as a critical component of strong WASH systems, which are needed to realize universal, sustainable sanitation services. Users will know:
- What market-based sanitation entails
- Different approaches for applying market-based sanitation
- Market-based sanitation is an essential part of stronger WASH systems.
The online course is available for free at the WASH Systems Academy and is self-paced and self-guided. It can also be used in combination with webinars, group work, on-the-job support, or as part of a 3-day workshop. The online course ‘Market-Based Sanitation: The Basics’ is free at the WASH Systems Academy.
Readers can access this training by visiting: washsystemsacademy.org
