Development training and management improvement; project evaluation

Special evaluation covers the period 9/78-1/82 and was performed by USAID/M personnel. As of 1/82, 98 participants had been selected for U.S. training; of these 16 never began training or were discharged before completion of training, due to insufficient English skills or inadequate academic background; two had not yet left Morocco; three had completed their studies and returned to Morocco; and 77 are currently enrolled in U.S. academic programs. Of the 25 positions reserved for women, only 10 long-term and 6 short-term have been filled due to family and cultural restrictions on women"s mobility. The delay in ongoing training programs caused by poor English capability, inadequate academic backgrounds, and the unexpected addition of Ph.D. students means that few if any new participants can be selected and funded. With only three trainees returned to date, the project"s impact, as measured by increased GOM capacity to plan and manage development projects, is difficult to assess. Moreover, the project"s success in meeting GOM training needs cannot be determined since no GOM annual training plans have been developed. The English-language training provided by four American Language Centers has been acceptable; the main fault is that management responsibility and functions which rest with USAID/M have not been fixed. The project has shown that training takes longer than planned - a delay that must be taken into account - and that host governments must participate in implementation (i.e., in developing training plans) if the project is to be fully successful. It is recommended that: an indepth evaluation be made in early FY 82; no new long-term participants be brought into training to permit all current participants to complete their studies by 12/83; participants" academic and language training be reviewed and the training canceled where work is unacceptable; and that the university placement procedures be reviewed for cost-effectiveness.