Exploring the management of information technology funding as a critical aspect of managing teaching and learning : a case study of two schools in the King William's Town Education District
- Authors: Ngcoza, Xoliswa Phyllis
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Information technology--Management Management information systems
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Public Administration
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/17439 , vital:40968
- Description: Today the term ‘Information Technology’ (IT) is a buzz word globally. It is an indispensable tool in government departments and it enhances management, planning and organisation of all activities in the departments. Information Technology (IT) refers to equipments such as overhead and digital projectors, digital cameras, cell phones, Television recorders, language laboratories, printers, computers and all its components such as different soft wares, hard wares, Central Processing Units (CPU) etc. These machines are teaching aids just like pens, rulers, writing boards etc when they are used by teachers and become learning tools when they are used by learners. It can be argued that IT can be the life blood of management in schools because by using it all the departments in the institutions are managed and co-ordinated easily. The database containing information about the learners, the staff, the subjects offered, the compiling and filing of mark schedules are easily done and are available at any time on request. IT helps in the managing of learning and teaching. The main focus of this study is to explore the management of IT funding as a critical aspect of managing teaching and learning. Today without funds IT use would be impossible. Relevant soft wares for all subjects taught such as Mathematics, Biology, Physical Education Environmental Studies etc are managed and planned by the management of the institutions to enable teachers to teach effectively and efficiently and to make studies easy for the learners to understand and to do research on their own. When the IT equipments are used properly, fast, efficient and effective service delivery would be realized. All these technological tools aforementioned depend on the availability of funds in the institutions.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Implementation challenges to Performance Management System (PMS) in Malawi`S Civil Service: case of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MOEST)
- Authors: Kalowamfumbi, Frank Tisu
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11684 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1013563
- Description: The Malawi Government introduced the Performance Management System (hereafter referred to as PMS) in 2008 in an effort to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity in the public service. However, since its introduction there have been indications that the system is encountering a number of challenges which are derailing and obstructing its implementation. This research was aimed at exploring those implementation challenges to PMS in the Malawi Civil Service with a case study of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST). Recommendations are made to the concerned parties for possible improvement in the implementation of PMS. The study took a qualitative approach whereby interviews with key informants, sampled purposively, were conducted in order to get relevant information to the problem. Besides the interviews, a study of official documents was done in accessing secondary data. The overall findings of the studyare that, although PMS plays a significant role in the improvement of productivity in an organisation, the Malawi government in general and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in particular, are failing to implement it effectively due to varying challenges that are generic to the entire Malawi Civil Service and also specific to the MoEST. The generic implementation challenges included: lack of correct understanding of the term performance management, design challenges and inadequate consultation, lack of linkage between rewards and performance, lack of leadership and management commitment, lack of knowledge and skills about the process and procedure of PMS, weak monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system, lack of clear legislation on PMS, lack of communication on organizational strategies,absence of performance standards, inadequate financial resources, attitude problem and social culture, political will not bending on performance and also the nature of the Civil Service. This research identified the following specific implementation challenges in the MoEST: inadequate sensitization and training on PMS, structural arrangements in the Ministry, numerous vacant positions and understaffing, unclear career path, duo lines of reporting, grade of employee determining the criterion of assessment, promotion interviews for teachers rarely happen, under qualified head teachers managing institutions, as well as administrative arrangements and political appointments to positions. The study upon giving recommendations to have the highlighted challenges addressed accordingly with a sense of commitment, concluded that the performance management system in Malawi Civil Service and MoEST in particular , while well-intentioned, is really fraught with numerous challenges that have adversely impacted on its implementation. At the individual level a lot of work has to be done in relation to making PMS being accepted. Most of the employees in the Malawi Civil Service and MoEST have little knowledge or none at all about the system as such effective implementation is failing to take place.
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- Date Issued: 2013
Linking performance management to public perceptions of police effectiveness: a case of Queenstown cluster police stations, Eastern Cape (2009-2011)
- Authors: Mziwonke, Bazel Bibi
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11702 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1015148
- Description: This study investigated the relationship between SAPS performance management and measurement assessment patterns and public perceptions of the effectiveness of SAPS. The Performance Management System (PMS) and the Performance Measurement System (PMS1) of SAPS were investigated and it was looked at whether there is a correlation between them. The two internal measurement systems i.e. PMS and PMS1 were compared with the perception of the community about service delivery effectiveness of SAPS. Seven police stations in the Queenstown Cluster participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the Cluster Commander, Station Commanders, Production personnel and members of the community. The findings indicated that SAPS has challenges in implementing PMS. Matters of honesty and trust were seen as contributing factors to these challenges. The internal performance management tools do not take into consideration the needs of the community. This transpired on the results of internal performance management which indicated police stations and their members to be performing satisfactory while the community is not satisfied with the police station performance.
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- Date Issued: 2013
The efficacy of coordinating role of the state ministry of cabinet affairs: a case study - Jonglei State, South Sudan
- Authors: Nathan, Alice Tiyo
- Date: 2013
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MPA
- Identifier: vital:11651 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/d1006973
- Description: The research attempts to investigate the effectiveness of coordination in the State Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (SMCA), Jonglei State government, South Sudan. The objectives of the study were to identify coordination functions of the state Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, challenges and its role in promoting ethics and good governance in service delivery in Jonglei State. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from a sample of twenty one respondents which included the State Deputy Governor, Directors of SMCA and Secretariat through questionnaires and interviews. This explored the functions; roles; and its organizational hierarchy which promotes ethical delivery of services and good governance. The study further discusses the levels of the implementation processes and the possible challenges facing SMCA. The results of the study reveal that the SMCA lacks qualified staff, unclear job descriptions and as a result it impinges on coordination and implementation of strategic plans and service delivery within the directorates. The study therefore recommends that for effective and efficient service delivery in promoting ethics and good governance, training of the human resource, recruitment of competent staff, clear job descriptions, regular performance appraisal and effective communication among others are paramount. The study further recommends that gender equality and equity should be addressed in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the community.
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- Date Issued: 2013