Monitoring and Evaluation of Vocational Training Programmes in Non-Governmental Organisations in Cross River State

This study investigates monitoring and evaluation practices in vocational training programmes administered by non-governmental organisations in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Non-governmental organisations play a significant supplementary role in vocational skills delivery, particularly for marginalised populations including out-of-school youth, women, and persons with disabilities. The quality and consistency of monitoring and evaluation in these programmes, however, is rarely studied. A descriptive survey design is adopted, engaging 50 programme managers, 20 field officers, and 100 programme beneficiaries from NGO vocational centres in Calabar, Ogoja, and Bekwarra local government areas. A structured questionnaire and interview guide capture monitoring and evaluation frameworks, data collection practices, outcome measurement, and stakeholder feedback integration. Thematic and descriptive analysis is applied. Findings are expected to reveal inconsistent monitoring practices, limited use of outcome data for programme improvement, and inadequate beneficiary feedback mechanisms. The study also examines the relationship between NGO funding source and monitoring and evaluation rigour. Recommendations include standardised monitoring and evaluation frameworks for NGO vocational programmes, capacity building for programme evaluators, and mandatory annual programme impact reports. This study contributes to NGO vocational programme quality research and provides a monitoring and evaluation model for improving accountability and learning in non-formal vocational education delivery in Cross River State. Keywords: monitoring and evaluation, vocational training, NGOs, Cross River State, programme quality