Evaluation of IBB Secondary Agricultural Institute (ISAI)

Special evaluation covers 1979-1/84; methodology is not stated. During the past 4 years, significant progress has been made in improving the quality of educational activities at ISAI. In 1981/82, 48 students were graduated, and in 1982/83, 29; 105 are now enrolled. The ISAI curriculum is commendable and the school"s reputation is very good; ISAI procedures are being adopted by other agricultural schools in Yemen, and the expatriate teaching staff, mostly from other Arab countries, contribute to a positive academic environment and to good relations with the Ibb community. A number of constraints impede full achievement of project goals, however. The most serious is a political/ideological rejection, within the Ministry of Education (MOE), of the American presence in Yemen; this has prevented good working relationships between ISAI"s Yemeni staff and its U.S. advisors, impeded development of sound administrative policies and procedures, and negatively influenced or prevented activities such as extensionist and farming training and outreach; a tense security situation in 1981/82 necessitating expatriate evacuation also hurt implementation of these activities. Further hindering ISAI development have been the MOE"s inadequate budgeting and its inability to recruit and assign sufficient counterpart and support personnel to ISAI; turnover has also been a problem. M.S. training has been delayed by counterparts" poor proficiency in English, and only 2 inservice programs for staff have been held; B.S. training is progressing well. Student accommodations and educational facilities are still inadequate, and delays in acquiring more farmland have adversely affected practical training. Fewer students than expected apply to ISAI, partly because of disregard in Yemen for the values of agricultural education; many students show disdain for practical learning. Religious and sociocultural factors have made it impractical for ISAI to conduct educational programs for women. The project teaches the importance of sociocultural context in Yemen, especially vis-a-vis administrative decisionmaking and women in development. Numerous recommendations are made, including a 5-10 year extension.