Co-Operative Education and Training as A Means to Improve Performance in Co-Operative Societies

Improving operational performance has been among key targets by various organizations globally including co-operatives. Among the major strategies to improve performance of various kinds in organizations is the provision of education and training to enable implementation of daily activities. As member-owned business enterprises, co-operatives including savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOS) need continuous provision of education and training to the Board, members and management as a means to build capacity needed to attain the desired needs and aspirations. The initiated co-operative education and training system has served as an empowering tool to build capacity of co-operatives to reach desired end, including better provision of services to satisfy members. This paper is written based on the study conducted in 7 SACCOS in Singida and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. The paper focuses on assessing the provision of co-operative education and training as a basis to improve performance in SACCOS' operations. Specifically it aims to; examine the provision of education and training in relation to SACCOS' governing instruments, to determine factors influencing provision of education and training in SACCOS, to evaluate the contribution of education and training in SACCOS' performance, and to determine the challenges facing provision of education and training in SACCOS. The study is descriptive and applied a cross-sectional design in 7 purposively selected SACCOS in the two regions. Total sample size was 70 people comprising of ordinary members, SACCOS staff and leaders. The study found that education and training is not well provided as per guiding instruments as mostly leaders (in Boards and committees) and staff get the priority while members rarely receive education and training. The influencing factors for provision of education and training were found to be; availability of funds, number of trainers and trainee, urgency of the training, cost of trainers, external influence and support, location and legal requirements. Education and training was found to contribute to improved customer care, loan collection, reduced bad debts, better accounting system, improved financial management and time service provision. The study went further indicating constraints to provision of education and training in SACCOS and gave recommendation to deal with them.