Evaluation report : agricultural officers training project; PES annex C

Special evaluation covers the period 5/77-6/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with A.I.D. and project personnel and with CAA students, teachers, and administrative staff. Significant progress has been made. Major accomplishments to date include: instilling a greater sense of purpose and professionalism among CAA faculty, staff, and students; inducing the beginnings of a shift in teaching methods from rote memorization toward integration of theory with practice; and completing half of the planned curriculum revision. The project has also provided logistical support, administrative reform, and improved equipment maintenance. It is recommended that the project be extended to 1987 to allow for completion and evaluation of the curriculum revision and for continuation of the teacher training program, CAA administrative improvements, and equipment/vehicle maintenance efforts. The extended project should emphasize: practical work and farmer training for extension agent trainees; further curriculum refinements away from theoretical and irrelevant materials; creation of student farm plots; teacher involvement in curriculum revision; expansion of the Specialization Centers to train all third year students; student evaluation after the second and third years of instruction; CAA participation in student selection; greater effort to sensitize and gain the support of the Government of Mali's Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development; and orientation sessions for incoming students to address their concerns about future employment.