REGIONAL TESTING RESOURCE AND TRAINING CENTER - EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT

THE TEAM CONCLUDED THAT DESPITE A NEED FOR IMPROVED TESTING IN THE AREA, THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM CONCEPT OF DEVELOPING A STRONG REGIONAL CENTER WITH ITS OWN INTERNATIONAL STAFF BASED PRIMARILY AT ONE HEADQUARTERS DOES NOT HAVE CONTINUING VALIDITY WITHOUT MAJOR MODIFICATIONS. FINDINGS INCLUDE: (1)THE DESIRABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF A CENTRALIZED REGIONAL CENTER IS QUESTIONED; (2)THERE IS SIGNIFICANT SENTIMENT IN PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES THAT MANY TESTING PROBLEMS ARE PECULIARLY NATIONAL IN NATURE; AND (3)THE ADVISORY ROLE OF THE CENTER SHOULD EXTEND BEYOND MINISTRIES OF EDUCATION AND THE UNIVERSITIES TO GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANPOWER PLANNING AND PUBLIC SERVICE PERSONNEL SELECTION. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE: (1)SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE CENTER"S ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE DECENTRALIZED; (2)THE HEADQUARTERS ORGANIZATION AND STAFF OF THE RTRTC SHOULD EVOLVE INTO AN INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED MORE ECONOMICALLY ON A JOINT BASIS; AND (3)PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND USAID SHOULD ADHERE TO THE AGREED-UPON SCHEDULE.