Qualitative assessment of selected regional training institutions in West and Central Africa

in third-country training efforts according to this qualitative assessment of the regional training capabilities of 61 regional and national training institutions in West and Central Africa. An introductory sections discuss an earlier inventory of African training institutions and the present assessment"s objectives, organization, and methodology. Demographic trends in education are then outlined and general conclusions about the training capabilities of the sampled institutions presented. Next, the general background, major programs, student population, admissions criteria, curricula strengths, faculty, institutional infrastructure, and financial and budgetary status of 15 institutions are described and recommendations are made for improving their training capabilities. The history of and trends in A.I.D. support of participant training programs in Africa are then reviewed. Appended are copies of the questionnaires used and a list of institutions visited in conducting the assessment. A final overview notes the shortage of residential and language training facilities, the limited availability of graduate training opportunities, and the absence of preparatory or remedial courses as major constraints to regional training activities.