09 Sep 2020

Government intends to fast track strategies geared towards linking performance monitoring and evaluation, budgeting and human resources management in order to strengthen public sector performance.

Delivering the National Development Plan (NDP 11) mid-term review  under the thematic chapter of monitoring and evaluation, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng said the strategies would address the deficiencies and during implementation of projects for the remaining period of NDP 11 that commenced in 2017 to 2023.

He said government would also speed up transformation of planning process, public finance management and human resource management systems to improve public sector performance. 

Thus, he said implementation of guidelines would improve data management, as well as the provision of reliable, and credible data, adding that performance, monitoring and evaluation required an effective process of producing, gathering, storing and managing data.   

“We will roll out performance reporting mechanisms which will include quarterly reports and an annual performance report on the progress of NDP 11 priorities. 

The Annual Performance Report will be shared with key stakeholders including this honourable house for accountability and to foster evidence based decision making,” he stated.    

Furthermore, Mr Morwaeng said evaluations would be undertaken regularly to inform Policy and decision making and an annual National Evaluation Plan would also be developed for key policies, programmes, projects, or strategies for evaluation.  

Other projects for the remaining plan period include full integration of the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Agenda 2063 in the National Monitoring and Evaluation System that would be undertaken to ensure efficient and effective use of resources and delivery of results to all stakeholders. 

In that regard, he said the Thematic Working Groups would continue to be vital in bringing together all stakeholders from government, private sector, development partners and civil society. 

Regarding monitoring and evaluation, he said capacity building at individual and institutional levels would be strengthened and would be a continuous process and shared responsibility by all. 

Mr Morwaeng noted that National Performance M&E System would also be rolled out beyond central government to local authorities and parastatal organisations, adding, preparatory work on the roll-out was ongoing. 

“The roll-out will be fully supported with the required capacity building, ownership and management both within central government leadership and at political level with the necessary incentives to ensure the sustainability of the system,” he said.

During the first half of NDP 11, Mr Morwaeng said, cabinet approved the National Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Policy and would soon be tabled to Parliament  for consideration and adoption. 

“The policy guides the conduct of national monitoring and evaluation and creates an enabling environment for monitoring and evaluation in Botswana,” he said. 

Furthermore, Mr Morwaeng said Monitoring and Evaluation Manual was also developed in 2019 to make the policy operational, and ensure alignment with the planning, budgeting and public service management functions. ends