An exploratory study of the institutionalisation of a monitoring and evaluation system in the case of the intellectual disability programme of the Western Cape Department of Health
Date
2019-04
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Monitoring and evaluation are crucial for government departments in South Africa; this will
ensure accountability, effectiveness, efficiency and evidence-based practices. In addition, it will
hold accountable those responsible for policy, project and programme implementation. The
government-wide monitoring and evaluation (GWM&E) system was established to create a
more effective government by making M&E the driving force of improved performance. The
study identified monitoring and evaluation of the intellectual disability programme as an underresearched
area. The research is focused on the intellectual disability programme and not on the
institution’s other programmes.
The research study explored the factors that are essential for the effective institutionalisation of
a monitoring and evaluation system in the intellectual disability programme. The study explored
the literature on the monitoring and evaluation system, and the institutionalisation of the M&E
system within the intellectual disability programme. The study commences with an overview
of monitoring and evaluation; it explores the institutionalisation of an M&E system, programme
management and implementation. The legislative and policy framework influencing M&E
within the Western Cape Health Department was explored, including international legislative
frameworks affecting the institutionalisation of M&E.
A qualitative design was selected for the case study. An institution of the Western Cape Health
Department was used as the case study; purposive sampling was used; documents were
analysed to support data collected. Semi-structured interviews with a research schedule was
used to conduct the fieldwork. The data were divided into themes for the data-analysis process;
the themes identified were institutionalisation of M&E systems; building process of an M&E
system; monitoring framework and indicators; evaluation; and lastly, programme management
and implementation.
The study found: M&E practices are present within the ID programme, but it lacked wellstructured
M&E guidelines and principles; the value systems are in place, but there were no
M&E-focused guidelines and SOP’s; leadership and management structures are well developed but lack an M&E champion and practices; the absence of technical M&E capacity was noted; there was no M&E capacity building and training;. The study found there was no M&E unit at the WCHD institution; the quality assurance unit is recognised as the unit performing M&E functions; however, the research established that M&E system principles are not present.
The following recommendations are made based on the research findings: build M&E capacity and training; strengthen and develop M&E processes; make use of M&E practices, principles and standards; align M&E function with the mainstream function; develop a monitoring framework using existing indicators and baseline data; adopt logic framework model; make use of the programme management and implementation protocol to promote an effective and efficient implementation process.
The study concluded that the adoption of an M&E system can promote evidence-based practices that can influence programme decisions and evidence-based budget allocations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2019.
Keywords
Monitoring and evaluation system -- Western Cape (South Africa). Department of Health, Intellectual disability -- Western Cape (South Africa), People with mental disabilities -- Services for -- Western Cape (South Africa), UCTD