In Mali, the Capacity Project recently conducted an evaluation of the application of the Learning for Performance (LFP) approach in the development of new training modules for midwives and nurse obstetricians in reproductive health and child survival at the Ecole des Infirmiers de Gao, a nursing school in Mali’s rural northern zone.

Midwives scored an average of 51% on a pre-test and improved to 66% with a post-test offered after the application of the LFP methodology. Nurse obstetricians improved from an average score of 31% on the pre-test to 52% on the post-test. Further, in comparison to results on the same pre- and post-tests obtained by nurses and midwives at two other schools at which the LFP was not applied, those at the Ecole des Infirmiers de Gao showed a greater increase in scores.

The evaluation also shows a high level of satisfaction among the school’s students, teachers, preceptors and managers, and the school community remains committed to the further development of the new modules.

January 2009