HURRICANE RURAL RECONSTRUCTION AND RECOVERY II - RURAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Evaluation covers the period 4/17/78-9/30/79 and is based on a review of project records, onsite visits, and interviews with key project personnel. After a delayed start caused by a scarcity of cement and diesel fuel, and GOH administrative bottlenecks, construction of schools and classrooms moved ahead of schedule except in two departments, where construction will have to be reprogrammed. Of the 86 schools scheduled to be constructed, 50 were completed. The original target of 335 classrooms was changed to 291, of which 178 were constructed. Because the ITT center was not built due to political constraints, MOE plans to remodel an existing structure to house the center; equipment lists for bidding should be ready by 1/80. All 24 professionals targeted to staff the ITT center completed their training. A total of 25 supervisors, 140 school directors, and 605 teachers received ITT through 40 seminar/workshops. Data on school retention rates were collected, and analyses will be ready by 2/80. The quality of education improved. Teachers upgraded their skills and used methodologies taught to them by ITT. Classroom materials are inadequate, however, and many students studied in overcrowded, ill-equipped, and unsafe facilities. Parent participation and student interest in practical projects, which were started in 45 schools, are on the upswing. Major problems were of an administrative nature: the GOH procurement process was slow; the ITT was more theoretical than practical; and there were not enough teacher trainers to carry out the ITT activities. The project taught that the self-help approach to school construction is workable in that costs are reduced and communities can be motivated to participate; that more than 24 teachers are needed to implement an ITT program in six departments; and that the GOH needs another similar activity to satisfy its classroom needs. It will be determined 1/80 whether the loan"s terminal disbursement date is to be changed.