represented the collective views of training participants during the five training courses conducted between October 2014 and February 2015. Before the training course, less than half of participants (45%) understood their role as Village Court Officials. This increased after the training course, with 96% of training participants who thought that they understood their role as VCOs. Overall changes in perceptions were recorded after the training course: understood the Village Courts Act (from 10% to 85% of participants), understood the role of the VC Secretariat (from 24% to 52% of participants), understood the correct process in hearing a complaint (from 7% to 88% of participants), and knowledge of Village Courts’ rules (from 12% to 84% of participants). Around six months after the training course, a sample of 20 Village Court Officials were interviewed between 21 to 25 September 2015, selected among training participants of the VCOs’ Training Courses conducted between October 2014 and February 2015. Overall, the participants provided positive feedback to the training and the importance of the training; which clarified their roles and responsibilities, provided them with a manual that they regularly referred to; informed them about the mediation process before full court sittings; improved their knowledge of the Village Court’s operation and gained respect from the community. Due to the training course, participants reported some major changes that they implemented in the Village Courts (see Table 3). For example; changes to court sittings while Peace Officers are ensuring security during hearings; courts are now presided by more than one magistrate; conducting mediation before going to full court; and collectively discussing cases for decision-making. The personal gains identified by participants include gained trust and respect of the community; gained confidence to perform as VCOs; learned about fairness and honesty; change in attitude towards work, and overall feeling of empowerment among VCOs. Table 3: Training participants’ feedback collected in 2015 Tairuma 1 VC Tairuma 2 VC Lamo VC Lovera Paiaru VC Interview date: Interview date: Interview date: Interview date: 22/09/15 24/09/15 25/09/15 21/09/15 Number of years Magistrate: 2 years Peace Office: 8 years Clerk: 2 years Magistrate: 34 years as VCO Chairman: 3 years Clerk: 3 years Peace Officer: 10 years Peace Officer: 18 years Peace Officer: 1 year Magistrate: 1 year
represented the collective views of training participants during the five training courses conducted between October 2014 and February 2015. Before the training course, less than half of participants (45%) understood their role as Village Court Officials. This increased after the training course, with 96% of training participants who thought that they understood their role as VCOs. Overall changes in perceptions were recorded after the training course: understood the Village Courts Act (from 10% to 85% of participants), understood the role of the VC Secretariat (from 24% to 52% of participants), understood the correct process in hearing a complaint (from 7% to 88% of participants), and knowledge of Village Courts’ rules (from 12% to 84% of participants). Around six months after the training course, a sample of 20 Village Court Officials were interviewed between 21 to 25 September 2015, selected among training participants of the VCOs’ Training Courses conducted between October 2014 and February 2015. Overall, the participants provided positive feedback to the training and the importance of the training; which clarified their roles and responsibilities, provided them with a manual that they regularly referred to; informed them about the mediation process before full court sittings; improved their knowledge of the Village Court’s operation and gained respect from the community. Due to the training course, participants reported some major changes that they implemented in the Village Courts (see Table 3). For example; changes to court sittings while Peace Officers are ensuring security during hearings; courts are now presided by more than one magistrate; conducting mediation before going to full court; and collectively discussing cases for decision-making. The personal gains identified by participants include gained trust and respect of the community; gained confidence to perform as VCOs; learned about fairness and honesty; change in attitude towards work, and overall feeling of empowerment among VCOs. Table 3: Training participants’ feedback collected in 2015 Tairuma 1 VC Interview date: 21/09/15 Tairuma 2 VC Interview date: 22/09/15 Lamo VC Interview date: 24/09/15 Lovera Paiaru VC Interview date: 25/09/15 Number of years as VCO Magistrate: 2 years Chairman: 3 years Peace Officer: 1 year Peace Office: 8 years Clerk: 3 years Magistrate: 1 year Clerk: 2 years Peace Officer: 10 years Magistrate: 34 years Peace Officer: 18 years
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