Cape Town - The Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe says it is important for officials in the public sector to use evidence-based policy making in order to improve service delivery.
The Minister, who is responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and who is also the Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, said this during an interview with media in Cape Town where he had interacted with senior government officials who are completing an executive management course.
“The main point that I wanted to emphasise is that we are deeply committed as government to attain the goals of the National Development Plan – our vision 2030 - and in doing so you require a developmental state that is capable of driving the programme of socio economic transformation in our country.
“In order for government to do these things better, we require evidence-based information in order to assist us in diagnosing the problems so that we may be able to prescribe an appropriate remedy.”
The Minister said without evidence-based policy, all the plans will remain an illusion.
“That is why it is important for senior officials of government to be imbued with this fundamental philosophy of working so that we can create this better life for people that we always desire,” he said.
The course is designed to assist participants to use evidence to make well informed decisions about policies, programmes, projects and services and to improve government’s impact on society.
The course, which is being offered for the fourth time, is presented by University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice (GSDPP) in collaboration with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) and the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy.
The Minister said what is key about the course is that that it will ensure political principals and government administrative leaders sing from the same hymnbook.
“It is very important this political-administrative interface between executive authorities and heads of government departments because without that chemistry and synergy, it will be very difficult to implement government programmes.”
He explained that this is why the appointment of Directors General has to be approved by Cabinet. This ensures government has professionally competent officials to implement government policies.
“On a day to day basis, it is important that these senior managers are equipped with information that is based on evidence in order to advise the executive authorities appropriately so that we can implement the government programmes,” he said.
The Minister said the course was part of the continuous training for senior managers. – SAnews.gov.za
