9-18
OVERALL EVALUATION OF A TRAINING PROGRAM
RELATING EVALUATION TO NEEDS
To be useful, evaluation must be kept simple. It cannot cover every aspect of training
in depth. On what, then, should evaluation focus?
In several places in this book we have discussed the problem of faulty training.
Students may study hard and get good marks on tests. Yet, on return to their
communities, they may find themselves at a loss when faced with real needs. To be
meaningful, then, evaluation of training must focus on how well health workers
are prepared to help people meet their needs.
From before a training course begins until after it is over, the planning and evaluation
process should be based on recognizing and meeting people’s needs.
Evaluation of a training program-before, during, and after-is like a key
section that completes a wheel.
Evaluation is needed if we are to move forward, because it allows us to
learn from our successes and mistakes.