Mid-point evaluation of resource training center : Haiti

Special mid-term evaluation covers the period 11/80-8/83 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with USAID/H, RTC, and host government personnel and with trainees and staff of RTC"s client organizations. Objectives cannot be met by project end. While the RTC is much needed in Haiti, demand for the center"s services has not been high, partly because interpersonal disagreements caused the RTC to close down for 2 months in 1982 and partly because of inadequate publicity efforts. Nonetheless, the quality (as opposed to quantity) of the RTC"s training programs has been satisfactory (and is expected to improve, as there is now a competent consultant aboard as well as more technical personnel). The program has evidently improved trainees" job performance, but trainees are rarely ewarded for this by promotion or a salary raise, causing subsequent decreased motivation. There are currently agreements for 6 courses to be given in the next year, with 18 more under discussion. Training evaluation studies have generally been neglected. The RTC is divided into separate technical and administrative sections. The RTC director has concentrated on administrative tasks, neglecting the more relevant technical areas. Staff performance, except in public relations and evaluation, is generally good. Accounting procedures have improved somewhat although they are still partially unsatisfactory. TA by the contractor has been satisfactory, but USAID/H has failed to monitor the RTC closely enough and financial contributions by client organizations and the Ministry of National Education (DEN) are below expectations. Major recommendations are to amend the administrative structure; increase the staff of the technical section; step up publicity; limit the contractor"s role to advice and assistance; conduct a financial audit as soon as possible; keep the RTC semi-autonomous and under the DEN"s guardianship; and revise both the project"s objectives and DEN"s financial contribution to more realistic levels and then make their fulfillment a requirement for future funding.