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Of square pegs and round holes: Training in developing countries
Healey, F. (2008). Of square pegs and round holes: Training in developing countries. Journal of Education for International Development, 3(2), 1-15. http://www.equip123.net/jeid/articles/6/Healy.pdf
Training is a central feature of most social sector development efforts. This paper examines the impact of training against the backdrop of the Education Sector Reforms Assistance (ESRA) program and draws the conclusion that without attending to the demand-side factors of training that: a) make public sector personnel seek out professional development opportunities that will enhance their job performance; and b) ensure that what they learn is actually utilized on behalf of better job performance—the impact will be of minimal value to the sector it was intended to improve. Donors and donor-country parliaments must take the long view and the political risks necessary to help put into place these critical demand-side factors.