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A policy analysis of the implementation of the integrated quality management system (IQMS) in six secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal.Dumakude, Vuma Jonathan. January 2008 (has links)
This research project examines the successes and challenges of processes involved in the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in six secondary schools. The focus of this study is limited to six secondary schools in the Umgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The research seeks to critically trace the evolution of the IQMS as a policy strategy for the implementation of teacher appraisal in South African schools. The research also explores appraisal measures in place prior to the introduction of the IQMS in schools. The analytical framework uses forward and backward mapping as analytical tools to guide the data analysis. The methodology is a case study approach with qualitative interviews with principals, heads of departments and post-level one educators. The findings indicate that while progressing adequately, there are a number of areas of concern with the implementation of IQMS. The report makes several recommendations regarding these. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.
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Exploring the impact of donor policies, processes and management systems on the work of civil society organisations : the case of United States Agency for International Development South Africa (USAID SA), Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) and Sibambene Partnership.Nowele, Bhekinkosi. January 2007 (has links)
The relationship between civil society organisations and donors in South Africa is dynamic, and takes different forms over time. This is attributed to a number of factors, including political landscape, domestic government policies and donor policies. These factors then affect the manner in which donors relate to civil society organisations and disburse development project funds. Prior to 1994 civil society organisations enjoyed abundant financial support from foreign donors, mainly due to the illegitimacy of the apartheid government policies and humanitarian crisis. This situation changed after the election of democratic government in 1994, as most of the donor funds were channelled through the government to support its policies and programmes, and partly because of bilateral agreements with some of the developed countries across the world. In this study the impact of donor policies, processes, and management systems on the work of civil society organisations was explored, using the United Sates Agency for International Development (USAID) South Africa, Nelson Mandela Children's Fund (NMCF) and Sibambisene partnership. Themes explored included policies, processes, management systems and tools, partnership and power relations. The research methodology used included semi-structured interviews, documentary analysis, emailed questionnaires and telephone discussions. Theories on power, policy management frameworks, and partnership were reviewed, drawing on, for example, the views from the views of Lukes (1974), Parsons (1995), Brinkerhof & Cosby (2002), Howell & Pearce (2002) and Nchabeng (2001). The results of the study highlighted a number of issues. Firstly that there is unequal power within the partnership relationship and donor agencies, and this is mainly caused by the fact that donors control policies, management processes and systems, as well as the disbursement of project funds. Secondly, civil society organisations, particularly NGOs, are dependant on their donors, and as a result prioritise their programmes at the expense of communities they serve. Thirdly, both parties value and icontribute complementary services towards the achievement of partnership goals. The study also revealed that donors embrace principles of equal partnership, participation, flexibility and mutuality; but in practice this was found to be wanting. Thus donors are challenged to practice these principles, and NGOs to seek other strategies that would ensure their independence. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) -University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.
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A policy analysis of curative health service delivery in North Darfur state, Sudan.Yagoub, Abdallah Ibrahim Adam. January 2012 (has links)
This thesis analyses the policy of curative health service delivery in North Darfur State, Sudan. Several authors have analyzed health service delivery issues, mainly focusing on controlling the spread of common diseases. No work has been done that focuses on the health policy aspect and its contribution to improving curative health service delivery, especially in areas affected by conflict since 2003. This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the nature and the evolution of health service delivery systems management, as well as policy implementation, thereby widening the discussion about the further projections of this field of study.
The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate how to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of curative health service delivery systems management, as well as policy implementation, in fostering socio-economic development in North Darfur State. The study focuses on how the national health system and national health policy of Sudan have been managed and implemented in North Darfur State.
This thesis identifies the different health sectors, public, private and international NGOs, that provide curative health services in North Darfur State, and the difficulties that have been facing the population in accessing these health facilities. Investigations showed that curative health services are not adequate in the public sector, and that they are very expensive in the private sector. The exception is the NGO sector but it is not guaranteed to be sustainable in providing curative health services to poor and conflict-affected people.
This thesis also identifies the mechanisms of health system management and policy implementation, by means of co-ordination and collaboration between the various government sectors, federal, state and district, in a decentralized system working in concert with international NGOs. The results show that there is poor co-ordination between the three levels of government, especially at district level, as well as poor collaboration between government and international NGOs, caused by government‟s lack of human and financial capacity.
The potential for improvement in curative health service delivery are explored, particularly at district level. This is essential so that quality curative health services can be delivered to the population, thereby contributing to socio-economic development in North Darfur State. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
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Participatory approaches and decision-making in the Msunduzi municipal council's local agenda 21 working committee.Sejane, Matseliso A. January 2002 (has links)
The study stemmed from the observation that the Msunduzi Municipal Council has adopted the principles of Agenda 21. The aim was to examine participatory approaches employed by the Local Agenda 21 Working Committee. The research findings have signalled the importance of improving public invol vement in environmental decisionmaking.
Yet the participatory approaches employed by the working committee such as advertisements and council meetings have proved inadequate to effectively meet the challenge of constructively involving the public. One reason is a lack of understanding on what public participation is supposed to accomplish. The Msunduzi Municipal Council is faced with the challenge of making high quality decisions while remaining responsive to the citizens those decisions affect. Meeting the challenge in the environmental policy arena poses particular problems because issues are often technically complex and value-laden, and multiple interests operate. At the same
time , experience with public participation to support the position that involving the public is a mitigated good and more of it is always better, has not yet penetrated council structures.
The Council is increasingly seeking better ways to fulfil its constitutional mandates while constructively engaging the public in environmental decision-making. Representatives of business and civil society are now included in joint forums with the council. They bring with them expertise and local perceptions to the policy-making process. It has been
found out that members of civil society have led the way in showing connections between the environment and development.
The effectiveness of promoting environmental equity depends upon the use of participation methodology that caters to the cultural and socio-economic needs of groups. The use of social capital is one way of organising and ordering individuals into productive associations. Local Agenda 21 makes possible social capital through the involvement of different stakeholders in environmental management and decisionmaking. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.
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An investigation of the current perceptions of the UIF policy for domestic workers.Mkhabela, Janet January 2004 (has links)
The study aims to investigate the current perceptions of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIP) for domestic workers in a township called KwaNdengezi, a Durban Metro area, Pretoria section. The study used qualitative research methods to gather and interpret data. A sample consisting of 13 domestic workers, 10 employers of domestic workers, Department of Labour (UIF official) and representative from the South
African Domestic and Allied Workers Union (SADAWU) were interviewed. The
study found that there are negative perceptions about the policy due to the fact that people (employers and domestic workers) do not understand the policy objectives and how the policy tries to meet these objectives. The study also found that SADAWU was participated in setting the agenda for policy by identifying the problems of domestic workers and petitioning government to address them. Lastly, the study highlighted that the main problem with the implementation of the policy was that it was not communicated clearly enough which has led to many misinterpretations of the policy. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
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Policy implementation and street-level bureaucrats' discretion, autonomy and coping mechanisms : a case study of national curriculum statements at a school in Pietermaritzburg.Mutereko, Sybert. January 2009 (has links)
The link between public policies and their desired outcomes has remained an important subject
among scholars and policy makers. Public policies made at the ‘top’ will have to be implemented
at local level by street-level bureaucrats who enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy and
discretion in the execution of their duties. The implementation of the National Curriculum
Statement (NCS) by teachers (street-level bureaucrats) is one such case. Using Lipsky’s streetlevel
bureaucracy as a theoretical framework, this study sought to explore the levels of
discretion, autonomy and coping mechanisms employed by school teachers at a private Christian
school in Pietermaritzburg in the implementation of the NCS.
The study sought to discover if the exercise of autonomy and discretion enhanced the
implementation of NCS. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected by the insider
participant using interviews with school teachers and observational methods. Analyses revealed
that school teachers have considerable discretion in determining the kind of task they assign their
learners. However, there were no significant relationships according to the level of discretion and
teaching experience or level of professional qualifications. Furthermore, the study shows that
most teachers made discretional choices to advance the goals of the Department of Education
and to enhance the understating of learners.
Factors which forced these teachers to use their discretion are due to poorly defined goals,
inadequate resources and excessive workloads. In the face of challenges associated with their
work, the teachers employ coping mechanisms which include ‘creaming’, private goal definition,
modification of the conception of work, ‘rubber stamping’, referrals and real or psychological
withdrawal. The findings of this study also show that school management through routine
supervision and the Department of Education’s Common Tasks Assessments (CTAs) as well as
national examinations curtail the autonomy and discretion of teachers in the implementation of
NCS.
The research reveals that the combination of individual decisions made by each street-level
bureaucrat in effect constitute the policy of NCS through its implementation at school. The
findings also underscore the need for management at all levels to find ways of harnessing the
discretion of street-level bureaucrats which enhance the Department of Education’s goals and
curb those which hamper policy implementation. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.
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The no-fee schools policy: a case study of policy implementation in four KwaZulu-Natal schools.Juan, Andrea Liesel. January 2007 (has links)
Education under the apartheid system was governed by the notion of separate development for each race. After the democratic elections in 1994, education policy has undergone numerous changes. The current Department of Education (DoE) is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring quality education to both advantaged and disadvantaged schools in order to eradicate the inequality fostered by the education policies of the apartheid regime. The inability of parents to pay for school fees was identified as the key determinant in access to schooling. So, although access to equal standards of education was theoretically equal, not all eligible children were attending school. To remedy this situation the Department of Education presented a broad policy statement in which it pledged to provide free education to those who could not afford school fees. This became part of the Education Laws Amendment Bill (2004) and is referred to as the no-fee schools policy. The no-fee schools policy was introduced in 2006 and is currently implemented at approximately 14 000 schools (Department of Education, 2006). Newspaper articles such as"Schools Run Out of Money" which appeared in the Mail and Guardian (13 May 2007) suggest that the no-fee schools are experiencing implementation problems. The aim of this study is to determine why this is so. This aim was achieved by firstly examining the literature on policy, policy implementation and street-level bureaucrats by consulting secondary sources such as Lipsky (1980) who examines public service workers, Parsons (1995) and Pressman and Wildavsky (1983) who examined a number of factors that influence policy implementation. Secondly, the policy framework for education in South Africa was then determined by analysing government legislation. Thirdly, primary data was collected from four schools in the Ukhahlamba region in KwaZulu-Natal that have been categorised by the Department of Education as no-fee schools. The primary data was then analysed by: (a) looking for references to the theoretical concepts discussed and (b) determining the degree of congruence between the legislative framework and the manner in which the policy is being implemented. The main finding of this research project was that schools do not posses the necessary capacity to implement the no-fee policy in its current form. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.
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A critical review of public-private partnerships in the management of water services delivery : the case of Nelspruit.Mukuka, Dominic Mulenga. January 2006 (has links)
This study sought to investigate the complexities and challenges posed by the adoption of a
Private-Public Partnership (PPP) as a mechanism for delivering services in a South African
local government context. The rationale of using PPP is to be effective, efficient, accountable
and transparent. The study highlights the post-apartheid government's efforts to transform
water services delivery through introducing various policies and legislation in order to
provide water services to communities that were previously denied access to reliable and
portable water supplies.
This study looks at both positive and negative aspects of public service management in
general and has identified New Public Management (NPM) as a theory that seeks to address
the inadequacies commonly attributed to classic public service management. PPP is an
example of emerging model of service delivery from the New Public Management school of
thought.
New Public Management, the study's adopted theoretical framework, is concerned with
reformation in a public sector organization (in this case the local government), so that it can
perform effectively and efficiently. Another area of concern in New Public Management is
ensuring that the public sector organizations provide decision makers with sound advice on
all aspect of policy: conceptualization, review, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The research methodology that this study used was a qualitative approach. Secondary sources
of data were employed, while the method of data analysis was content analysis. Themes
emerging from the data formed the basis for analysis in line with the adopted theoretical
framework.
The findings were based on the four sets of objectives of the study, using research questions
as a guide. The process involved applying New Public Management (NPM) concepts to the
case study. An examination of the manner in which networks have been managed in
Nelspruit. Also examined is the legislative and policy framework that allowed and
accommodated the inclusion and operation of PPP. Opportunities and threats surrounding the
Greater Nelspruit Utility Company (GNUC) Concession were also identified. Finally, lessons
and implications in the usage of the PPP approach as a mechanism of water services delivery
concludes the discussion on the findings. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
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Managing public policy implementation : a critical review of the implementation of the child support grant in South Africa between 2000 and 2004.Mtshali, Yvonne Lungile. January 2006 (has links)
Policy implementation is an important aspect of service delivery. It is a
process that requires all the involved parties to work together. In addition, the
policy to be implemented has to be preceded by extensive planning and
capacity to ensure effective implementation. According to Parsons
(1995:465), "effective implementation requires a good chain of command and
a capacity to co-ordinate and control...".
The Child Support Grant (CSG) is one of the social security grants created by
the South African Government to offer financial support to children in need.
The CSG is the one that is widely accessed by children. This grant has
reached millions of children in South Africa since its initial implementation;
however a large number of children still do not receive this grant due to
administration problems (Skweyiya 2005:2).
This research project provides a critical analysis of the implementation of
CSG between the years 2000 and 2004. A conceptual analysis (content
analysis) of secondary studies on the implementation of the Child Support
Grant is the scope of this investigation. The study analysed the manner in
which the CSG had been implemented by the Department of Social
Development (DSD) between the years 2000 and 2004. The findings show
that there were many problems that related to the administration of the CSG.
The problems ranged from lack of capacity (human as well as organizational)
by government officials, to the mode (top-down) of implementation, the
employment of bureaucratic methods of implementing policy, lack of system
upgrade, street level bureucrats methods of implementing policies and
insufficient monitoring and evaluation by the National Department of Social
Development.
The DSD neglected to provide infrastructural support to facilitate the
additional number of beneficiaries that resulted from the extension of the CSG
to children under 14 years old.
These organizational capacity development problems manifested in the lack
of sufficient equipment in welfare offices. Many welfare offices did not have
essential equipment (such as chairs, working computers and working
telephones) needed to perform their duties. Technical resources such as
working computers and telephones are an essential part of implementation.
Lack of proper monitoring and evaluation of the administration of the Grant
has created loopholes in the system that have cost the Department about
R1.5 billion each year from 2000 to 2004.
Another problem was that there were staff shortages in most areas. In areas
where staff was available they lacked the capacity to administer the Grant. As
a result, wrong information was disseminated to the public concerning the
eligibility for the CSG. The data capturing system the Department uses,
Social Pension System (SOCPEN), had not been upgraded to handle greater
numbers of applicants. This has led to applicants not being processed, thus
affecting service delivery.
The study has shown the impacts these problems can have on policy. Due to
the manner in which policy was implemented the DSD ended up losing
money, which was intended for beneficiaries, through fraud and
maladministration. In addition to money lost, potential beneficiaries could not
access the Grant due to obstacles created by government officials as their
way of implementing policy effectively. According to Lipsky (1980:149), low
ranking street level bureaucrats create ways of coping with their duties
through simplifying their authority. This enables them to utilise their authority
and impose their job restrictions for reasons of lack of service delivery on their
clients .
Due to the scope of "allowed" discretion that street level bureaucrats can
exercise, fragmentation of policy is most often experienced during
implementation. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.
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A policy analysis of the merits of policy networks in policy-decision making : a case study of the Premier's Office, KwaZulu-Natal.Mpanza, Bongani. January 2004 (has links)
This study is a policy analysis of the merits of policy networks in policy-decision making: A case study of the Premier's Office, KwaZulu-Natal. This study aims to identify some of the merits of policy networks as identified by the literature. It is also aimed to understand what some of challenges are that face policy networks, and also to determine what type of policy networks are within government, more particularly the Premiers Office in
KwaZulu-Natal. This study proves that in theory policy networks allow for participation and coordination between
different stakeholders across different levels of government. In practice the time available to members
to meet is limited. The absence of key members because of multiple meetings simultaneously. This study is divided into four parts in which part one explores literature on policy networks. The second part looks at the policy issue. The third part looks at the findings and the forth part looks at
what has been learned from the literature. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, [2004-05].
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