Abstract:

The study aims at finding out the capacity of maids training centres in Lusaka to training housemaids for infant care. Using both qualitative and quantitative approach a collective case study was conducted. Questionnaires, interviews and document analysis were designed and used to collect data. The interviews were two types: in-depth interviews were held with ten housemaids randomly selected from the twenty maids training centres. The maids training centres were purposefully selected. The second interview was a focus group discussion where the remaining ten house maids took part. The discussion was recorded and later transcribed. This was subjected to thematic analysis. Document analysis was also conducted to establish the type curriculum and how it was implemented.

The findings from the data revealed that the housemaids were not trained to take care of infants and that there is need to include the component of infant care in the house maids training curriculum. It was clear from the findings that maids training centers are not registered, their curriculum is not approved by any organization and no quality assurance policy in place. These training centers are run by former housemaids whose educational levels are low. The instructional materials are inadequate, classes over crowded, and the training duration too short (averaging 2 weeks). It was established that house maids are not trained to take care of infants.

Keywords: aids training centres, house maids, infant care, curriculum, capacity, training

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