Evaluation of the Regional Road Maintenance Training Center at Lome, Togo

action. Report covers the period 11/76-5/80 and is based on interviews with trainees and visits to the Center and to four of the five Entente Council member states supporting it. Prior A.I.D. assistance to the Center terminated in 1976 without attention to Entente state recognition of Center diplomas for civil service purposes or to completion of an operational protocol between the Republic of Togo and RRMTC. Both of these issues were resolved in 1978-79, but between 1977 and 1979 attendance at the Center dropped from over 100 students a year to about 60, due largely to the diploma problem, discontinued participation by non-Entente countries, and insufficient qualified faculty. In 1978 the Center undertook an extensive curriculum review to upgrade courses and make its diplomas equivalent to traditional national diplomas. The first courses with the new program began in 10/79, but implementation of the revised curriculum is being impeded by continued lack of qualified faculty and, to a certain degree, by outdated and insufficient training aids, shop equipment, and reference materials. Entente country subsidies will support a student body of about 100; if enrollment increases beyond that level, the subsidies will have to be raised or donor assistance arranged. It is recommended that A.I.D. consider providing RRMTC with U.S. faculty, participant training for African faculty and Entente students, commodities (fixed shop and rolling motor pool equipment, reference books, handbooks, training aids, catalogues), and short term advisors for management review and evaluation/follow-up of Center graduates. Entente Secretariat and A.I.D. personnel should increase attention to Center activities and alumni. In addition, the Center should solicit assistance from other donors such as the World Bank or the European Development Fund. RRMTC requests for additional infrastructure and for initiation of a well drilling course should be discouraged until the new program is operating effectively and Entente-country road maintenance training requirements are known.