Varsity imparts skills on monitoring

ARUSHA: THE Open University of Tanzania (OUT) is conducting training on Monitoring and Evaluation for officials from City Councils with a view to improving public services in the country.

The training, which started on Monday is set to be completed on Friday, October 11, this year.

The training also intended to help prioritise decisions, especially given the reality that resources remain limited and help the government in making evidence-based decisions as well as identifying what works well.

Mr Apolinary Seiya, Planning and Coordination Officer for Arusha City, stated this on behalf of the Arusha Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Mussa Misaile, when officiated the launching of the training workshop.

“The government is committed to delivering quality services to the people, this is one of the reasons behind engaging experts from the Open University of Tanzania to provide Monitoring and Evaluation training for officials from central government departments, public institutions and local government authorities,” Mr Seiya noted.

This is the first phase of training for officials from local government authorities, which are closest to the people, and if well-supervised, will ensure quality service delivery.

“Monitoring and Evaluation is the key to sustainable development, and this training should serve as a catalyst for bringing development to the people and fulfilling the government’s genuine aim of making Tanzania a prosperous nation,” said Mr Seiya.

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The Director of the Special Advisory Unit of the OUT, Dr Emmanuel Mallya said that the training aims to enhance the capacity of various officials from local government authorities to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of various projects, policies and government plans, to improve good governance in the country.

“The government wants to see positive results from its substantial investment in projects and plans and aims to know whether its policies are functioning effectively.

This training follows the launch of the Monitoring and Evaluation guidelines in June. OUT has agreed with the Prime Minister’s Office to strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation systems in central government departments, public institutions and local government authorities,” emphasised Dr Mallya.

Additionally, Planning Officer from Dar Es Salaam City, Ms Happiness Nchimbi, noted that the government has facilitated this training for planning officers, economists and statisticians with the expectation that greater precision will be applied in the management and monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure they are sustainable and long-lasting.

“We expect these officials to have the necessary skills to monitor and evaluate projects from inception to completion,” she explained.