Instructional Materials Resource Center (IMRC phase II); mid-term evaluation

Mid-term special evaluation covers the period 9/79-3/82 and is based on document review and interviews with staff of USAID/L, NTTC, IMRC and related agencies. Progress - while evident in several areas - has been hampered by staff shortages. IMRC's staff (3 professionals and 11 technicians) is only half of that required, and as a result, both long- and short-term training have had to be curtailed. The former, however, has been provided to 6 IMRC/NTTC staff and the latter to 2 IMRC technicians. In-house training has proceeded regularly. IMRC printing jobs (nearly 2,000 separate tasks) have greatly increased, especially those for outside clients; workmanship and service are excellent. In addition, 8,000 silk-screened charts have been produced for primary schools, and photocopying has been at a high level since acquisition of a new machine. However, although the silk-screened charts were designed by IMRC and NTTC staff, overall progress in designing instructional materials has been slow. Also, only limited audiovisual work has been done. These shortfalls have been due primarily to the staffing shortage, which in turn has resulted from the Government of Lesotho's (GOL) freezing of vacant posts and prior lack of interest. Other contributing factors include an initial emphasis on technical, as opposed to design, services; equipment lacks; and departure of the audiovisual advisor, not yet replaced. After a year's delay, the new IMRC facility is complete; staff housing is nearing completion. Furniture and production equipment will not arrive for months, because of inadequate A.I.D. follow-up and an incompetent purchasing agency. The project faces a major challenge. As of 4/1/82, the IMRC will no longer be part of the NTTC and it is unclear just where the institution will fit into the Ministry of Education structure. Key concerns are IMRC's ability to manage its own purchasing and accounts. Thus far, IMRC's 4 expatriate advisors (2 more are due to arrive soon) have played the predominant role in decisionmaking. Several recommendations are made, among them to extend funding only if staffing and budgetary needs are met by the GOL.