An assessment of the process and institutional requirements of monitoring and evaluation systems in government : a case study of the KwaZulu-NatalDepartment of Arts and Culture

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This research study was motivated by the apparent disparities and incoherence in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in government departments in South Africa.An in-depth study was undertaken with the objective to assess the processes followed in designing, developing and sustaining an M&E system. The study also looked into the institutional requirements and arrangements of M&E in government. The aim was formulate recommendations which could be modeled against to improve the M&E systems in government.In conducting a literature review, emphasis was placed on the theoretical and conceptual frameworks as well as policy and legislative frameworks relevant to M&E.The study followed a qualitative research design and included empirical and ethnological research which followed a case study approach. The primary data was sourced through semi-structured questionnaires or a research schedule which was administered through interviews. The sample considered was comprised of senior management of the Department of Arts and Culture, the M&E unit, focus groups and the Office of the Premier. A content analysis of the key documentation relating to M&E was also conducted.The study found that institutionalisation transcended beyond structural and organisational arrangements and looked into issues of governance, human resources, value systems, training, capacity and professional associations. However, the readiness assessment was not conducted to determine the level at which these traits were in the department. It was noted that the department had cultivated a sufficient culture of M&E within itself which was manifested its high placement on the agenda of management meetings. It was noted that there were sufficient policy and legislative frameworks to support M&E in government. It was also found there was no systematic and logical process followed, as recommended by Kusek and Rist (2004), in designing, building and sustaining results-based M&E in the department.Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that M&E training be provided to staff in the department and the readiness assessment be conducted thereafter in order to identify the gaps in this programme and put relevant interventions in place.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University