TEOFILO
KISANJI UNIVERSITY
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INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
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TEKU/BEDPSY/12700
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MAKOYE AMAN
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QN. One of the Characteristic of policy
making in Tanzania is that “we must run while others walk”. Verify this
statement with the relevant examples.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0. INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………….Pg 1
1.1. The
meaning of Policy Making………………………………………..Pg 1
1.2. The stages
of Policy Making………………………………………….Pg 1
2.0. Some of the policies that
are established in Tanzania and its Implication……Pg 1-3
2.1.
The characteristics of the effective policy……………………………Pg 3-8
3.0. CONCLUSION………………………………………………..Pg
8
4.0. REFERENCES………………………………………………Pg
9
Policy Making Is the process by
which the Government translates their political vision into programmes and
actions to delivers outcomes desired changes in the real world. Policy making
is not done from a vacuum but it follows the systematic procedures these are;
Agenda setting (policy determination), Policy formulation (policy development),
Decision making (policy approval), Implementations and Evaluation. Whether you
are running a large corporate business, a government agency, a home based start
up business, a non-profit organization or anything in-between, the formation of
policies are extremely important. As a matter of fact they are crucial to the
success and survival of the entity.( www.developingpolicy.com )
Policies
are different from rules or laws; they are intended as a guide to ensure desired
outcomes. These outcomes can be specific, such as the process for hiring,
handling complaints or purchases for manufacturing processes. They can also be
general in nature, such as behavior policies that match an organization's
mission statement. There are instances when a policy may become clear only in
retrospect
Policy making in Tanzania has been a
great problem in the process of making from its begin and in the systematic
way. It is true that the Process of policy making in Tanzania has been made by
not following the concrete stage of policy making which is not similar to other
countries. This problem has led to its failure of different policies in Tanzania,
example The following policies are now existed in Tanzania but It has slow
contribution in the process of development due to the fact that there some
stages has not been checked out like Agenda setting, policy formulation and
decision making where they start to the fore stage like implementation and
Evaluation.
The policy of Big Result Now (BRN).
As a part of the Tanzania Government's
effort to transition the country from low to middle-income economy, Tanzania is
set to adopt the Malaysian Model of Development; The Big Fast Results
Initiative in its own development outlook to be implemented beginning of
2013-2014 financial year. This has became a problem because this policy is not
originally formed in Tanzania whereby is extracted from Malaysia. Tanzania has
taken the policy and bring it in Tanzania for implementation, this is the big
mistake because it has not followed the systematic way of policy making hence
running while other walking, this means The process of policy making in
Tanzania does not follow the stages of policy making while the other countries
they do follow the stages from the agenda setting to Evaluation.
The policy of health in Tanzania, This
paper describes the current health policy in Tanzania and its implementations.
The present health policy in Tanzania originated from Arusha declaration of
1967, the country's most popular national policy after independence. Arusha
declaration proclaims socialism and self-reliance, which has had important
impact on the form and content of the present country's health policy in
mainland Tanzania. Much of the wide-spread health care services infrastructure
that is evident now in rural areas of Tanzania mainland is a result of the
re-emphasis of the Arusha declaration in 1971. In Tanzania, the Ministry of
Health has the responsibility for elaborating the health policy, ensuring that
strategies and appropriate program are developed to give effect to the policy.
In the present health policy discussed, the goal is seen to have shifted from
having one dispensary in each village to one primary health unit in each
village. One dispensary is intended to serve several villages together. In
Tanzania, according to the present health policy, the village primary health
care are mainly preventive oriented and only being managed by short term
trained health staff. The candidate for training in each village is selected,
among the village residents, by the villagers themselves. The primary health
care system adopted by Tanzania is viewed as the only way through which it can
achieve the social goal of health for everyone by the year 2000, provided the
present political will which is evident continue, and enough availability of,
human, financial and material. Although the Government of Tanzania has
implemented this policy but has not established a clear training for the
learners like the learners are trained from the high institution rather than to
train from the primary level while the learners are young so as to enhance the knowledge
of the health policy.
The policy of Economy in Tanzania. Many policies has been written
to boost up the economy of Tanzania but those policy has failed at large extent
because the formulated policies are being put into implementation while some of the policy concern are not included like the issue of
conviction whereby some of the members concern are not included such the
citizens hence failure of the policy and this is caused by poor evaluation of
the policy and put it into implementation
while there things to be considered and put it into amendments so that
to bring about more efficiency of the policy to both human development and The country development.
The
policy of Education for all. This has
been established in Tanzania in order to promote Education to all
learners in Tanzania but it has seemed to fail because of its poor formulation
and its inaction and not only that poor formulation but also lack of the facilities that will
enable the policy to be more implemented and brings about the effectiveness to
its intended goal and specific objectives but this it has failed in Tanzania .
The
policy of “kilimo kwanza” in Tanzania .This policy has been brought in Tanzania
from the outside without knowing that this policy can fit to the context of
Tanzania? .This policy has faced more challenges because of its policy has not
made in Tanzania but it has been copied from the outside and bring it in
Tanzania .challenges are facing this policy are lack of facilities and poor
knowledge of the people about this policy as simply were not included during
this formulation of the policy hence we are running while others are walking
means that we are not forming our own policy rather than copying the policy
from the other country and the problems
comes we fail to implement it.
In
other words has it achieved the desired objectives
of the organization and the required
outcomes? A relatively simple way to determine whether policy is effective is
to apply the following criteria. The characteristics of good policy can help us
determine whether it is going to be effective prior to its implementation. The characteristics
can be used as an audit tool to identify any shortfalls in the documentation
prior to its implementation
.
The
followings are the characteristics of good policy are;
Policy
must have a clear purpose and outcome; If it is to be of any value to the organization.
It is important that staff recognize the problem that is being addressed
through the policy implementation. It is extremely difficult to implement
policy in a situation where people do not perceive there is a need for the
specific policy unit to be developed or implement. If policy is being
implemented to support an organization in its growth and develop it is
imperative that policy outcomes are clearly stated so that everyone and
understands why the policy has been implemented in what the policy expectations
are.
The
assumptions are explicit. Part of the policy statement must clearly express why
the policy has been written and what is hoped to be achieved by its
implementation. Part of the consultative process prior to the implementation of
policy needs to be a testing of the process and ideas as to why the policy
needs to be implemented. One of the common problems within organizations is
that people among level of the organization believed policy next year it meant
to resolve the specific problem may not necessarily exist across the entire organization.
The assumptions that have been made about why policy needs to be implemented
must be tested within the organizational context. Is a perceived problem in one
department a rule problem that needs to be addressed from an organizational
point of view or is a specific issue relating to that department and had
particular personnel within the Department.
There
is linkage to organizational direction. Policy makers must ensure that policies
linked to the overall direction and goals the organization. The overall
framework of the business will provide some strategic direction, and will be
important in assessing the direction of the organizational policies. Policy
writers must ensure that the policy supports existing policies and procedures
within the organization. One of the tests of good policy is that it supports
the organization in achieving its goals and objectives. Often time policy
through its implementation can in fact hinder staff in achieving the organizational
goals. Policy should be seen as pillars supporting the structure of an organization.
Policy should be written in such a way that they clear obstacles to staff and
enable them to better achieve their full potential.
Due
process has been observed. The organizational rules and principles must be
established and clearly understood as part of the policy development process.
It is crucial that all components of the organization have some input into the
policy development.
Policy
implemented in one department may seem fair and reasonable until that policy
has a deleterious effect impact on other parts of the organization as a whole. As
part of the organizational framework the structure needs to be both developed
and implemented that will enable policy development to happen in a concise and
engaging manner so that all aspects of the organization have their input into
the policy development and implementation.
Stakeholders
have been included. Stakeholders in other words those who are directly affected
by the implementation of policy and the policy outcomes need to have some
inclusive process developed whereby they can participate in the policy
development. Part of the policy development process therefore is to clearly
identify who all the stakeholders are. And appropriate consultative strategy
needs to be implemented as part of the policy development process.
One
of the significant problems that can develop a stakeholders are invited to
participate in policy development is the expectation from each stakeholder their
specific outcomes or desires will be achieved by the policy implementation.
Oftentimes it is difficult in fact almost impossible to achieve all the desired
outcomes from each stakeholder group.
One
of the key components of policy development is to discuss with each of the
stakeholder groups the policy outcomes that are going to be implemented. Where
these outcomes clearly do not meet the stakeholders expectations it is
imperative that the organization identify these issues and resolve these
conflicts as much as possible.
Public
interest has been given a high priority. Public all government policy needs to
have as its core public interest. In other words has the policy been written
with the general outcome and expectation being that the public will be better
off as result of a policy implementation? One of the core challenges for
government as they implement policy is to ensure that the policy impacts do not
have deleterious effects on members of the community.
Organizational
expectations have been met. Policy writers must realize that they have two
audiences they are dealing with first audience is a group of people that policy
has a direct impact on. In other words the staff that are going to be directly
impacted by the policy implementation. Staff may be required to implement new
procedures as result of the new policy being implemented. Their work practices
may alter to some extent. The second audience and in oftentimes more crucial
audience other leaders within the organization. Have the leaders’ expectations
being addressed and realized in the policy outcome. It serves little purpose of
the policy is tabled at a board meeting to find the majority of the board in
fact do not support the policy intent or specific outcomes.
Policy
writers must have a clear understanding of the organizational expectations and
what the policy intent and the outcome as they develop the policy.
The
policy is likely to be effective. The intended policy is to achieve a specific
outcome is outcome needs to be effective in terms of the impact that it has on
the organization. Part of the consultative process is undertaken appropriately
will help identify areas where the policy may not be effective i within the organization.
The
policy is both efficient and cost effective. Policy directives must ensure that
organizational resources are being used in an appropriate manner. It achieves
very little of the new policy is implemented in a cost impact on the organization
is significant.
The
policy is measureable this refers to measurable indicators that will provide
proof a specific policy is having a desired effect. This is especially useful
for the evaluation stage of the policy cycle. This means the policy made should
be measurable in term of its implementation and relevance to the situation is.
There
is capacity for evaluation as indicated in the desired characteristic above,
the ability to measure the effectiveness of any policy gives it capacity to be
evaluated. Evaluation of policies helps an organization determine effectiveness
and possible areas where change is needed, enabling that particular
organization to work at its' most efficient level.
It
is appropriately funded. Not only must an organization ensure its policies, and
policy development initiatives, are properly and appropriately funded, it is
imperative to identify and set aside the necessary funds for its
implementation. Your organization should be budgeted for these initiatives;
stay within budget. In order for the policy to be more effective it should be
funded so that to bring about the intended message and application to the citizens.
In Tanzania the Government does not put more funds to the policy making that
will assist in the provision of good policy to the citizens and the country.
The
policy must be Clear accountability. It should be easily apparent in the policy
which persons and departments are accountable for what actions, and within what
time frame. Everyone, from the policy officers to the direct worker are
accountable for some part of the policy, whether it be proper use of funds,
proper protocols for developments, or the recommended implementations, must be
held directly accountable.
It
follows all appropriate laws Policies, whether within government organizations
or business, must adhere to certain laws. If the policy officers are uncertain
if the policy they propose are crossing any legal lines, then the organizations
lawyers must be consulted. Not doing so and allowing improper policy to be adapted
in to implementation could be very costly on a legal level.
The
policy is enforceable. A policy that cannot be enforced is not worth the time
and effort put in to it, much less the paper it is written on. If the policy is
practical then it should be enforceable. If not it may need to be revisited and
amended. In Tanzania this is not put into more emphasis even if the policy is
not well planned and evaluated hence the do force to implement and fail to make a clear
evaluation of the policy hence we run while others are walking.
It
is historically informed. If an organization is not paying attention to past
experiences they often find themselves "reinventing the wheel". It is
a waste of time and effort, and money. Using a good policy framework can help
prevent repetition as the organization should be constantly reviewing and
revising, as necessary, all policies, learning from the evaluations. The
Tanzanian policy makers they do not make the different follow up of the
revising of the policy so that they can identify where they have misconnected
and come up again with the new idea and the systematic way of making the policy
hence poor policy in Tanzania.
The
ideas have been tested. Ideas can be tested through "field testing"
or "dry runs". More practically however testing can be accomplished
by looking back with a historical view, as mentioned previously. Consultations
with staff and others who understand and have better "first hand"
experience can also be useful when testing a proposed policy. Many policies in
Tanzania are not tested to make sure that are coming up with the effective in
its implementation. Most policies in Tanzania are implemented and put into
usage while are not tested to the people who knows about how policies are
formulated and they have an experiences about the policy making.
Therefore,
if policy implementation is to be effective in the policy outcomes to be
achieved it is crucial that an audit of policy be undertaken prior to its implementation
using the above criteria as a guideline. The characteristics of good policy
also provide a strong foundation to enable policy to be reviewed and evaluated
on a regular basis. It is critical that existing policy be reviewed and
evaluated regularly to ensure that is still achieving the policy outcomes, and organizational
objectives that were originally intended to do so.
REFERENCES
Cooksey, B. & Mmuya, M.( 1997).The Use and Quality of Health Services in
Rural Tanzania. Dar es Salaam .TADREG Working.
Fischer,
F.et al (2007).Handbook of Public Policy Analysis. France
Vista previa restringida - Acers de ester Libra.
Vista previa restringida - Acers de ester Libra.
Antony,
M. (2005) .Public Policy. Kenya. East
African Publishers.
Konrad, A. M., Prasad,
P., & Pringle, J. K. (Eds.). (2006). Handbook of workplace
diversity.
London: Sage Publications
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