An investigation into the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development's monitoring and evaluation system

[摘要] The Auditor General identified some gaps in the quality of performance information that wasreported by the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development (GDHSD) to the public.The information was inaccurate and unreliable (Gauteng Department of Health and SocialDevelopment, 2009; 2010; 2011). The National Government passed the Policy Framework onGovernment-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System in 2007. Some of the objectives of whichwere to improve the quality of performance information and service delivery in government.This development required government departments to develop and implement strong andeffective M&E systems. The GDHSD formally implemented its M&E system in 2007; one of theobjectives of which was to generate good quality performance information. The GDHSD’s M&Esystem has failed to achieve this objective.The study investigated some aspects of the GDHSD’s M&E system with regard to its poorquality performance information. The study found that some of the problems in the GDHSD’sM&E system, which the study highlighted, were the lack of adequate and appropriate capacityand skills for monitoring and evaluation; the absence of proper structures, processes andsystems for monitoring and evaluation; the absence of quality assurance mechanisms forperformance data; the selective application of data management rules and regulations; and alow morale amongst some staff members of the GDHSD. One of the notable findings was thatthere is manipulation of some performance information for political reasons.The study made some recommendations on how to strengthen the GDHSD’s M&E systembased on the identified gaps. Some recommendations are that the GDHSD needs to capacitateits M&E directorate; develop proper monitoring, evaluation, reporting and data managementprocesses and systems; address the problem of manipulation of performance information forpolitical reasons; and promote a culture of good work ethics within the staff members of theGDHSD. The implementation of these recommendations may assist to strengthen the GDHSD’sM&E system, thus also helping it to improve the quality of its performance information andservice delivery.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand