Thesis:

An assessment of organizational factors affecting utilization of monitoring and evaluation results in delivering government programs: a case of Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda

The field of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) has often been restricted to emphasizing the technical aspects of conducting M&E. However, it is progressively being acknowledged that the organizational and institutional dimensions of respective organizations are regularly more influential and difficult to organize as far as mainstreaming the adoption and utilization of M&E is concerned. This study sought to assess the different organizational factors which affect utilization of M&E results in delivering Government programs in Uganda. In particular, the study objectives: (i) examined how information availability affects utilization of M&E results in Ministry of Education and Sports; (ii) examined how information processing skills affect utilization of M&E results in Ministry of Education and Sports; and, (iii) examined how beliefs, values and attitude affect utilization of M&E results in Ministry of Education and Sports. The study methodology entailed grounded theory research methods as well as quantitative research methods. Under the quantitative research aspect, the study covered an effective study sample of 191 respondents on whom a structured questionnaire was administered. Quantitative analysis entailed tallying and subsequent analysis of the responses to generate summary statistics which were discussed according to objectives of the study. The study’s findings, among others, reveal that: the culture of utilizing M&E results in routine operations of the MoES is very low; M&E information which is stored as manual paper records subjects the information to wastage through poor handling and physical deterioration of the paper files; and poorly presented M&E results have a negative effect on utilization of M&E results. The study generated a number of recommendations, which inter alia include: MoES should design and implement a mind – set change programme for all staff of the Ministry, especially those at managerial and political leadership levels, to enhance the embracing and utilization of M&E results to inform decision making; MoES should design and implement regular and sustainable capacity building and retooling programmes for all staff involved in the generation, analysis, preparation, presentation and utilization of M&E results; MoES should embark on a programme to migrate its M&E records and management procedures from paper – based systems to digital systems that are inherently linked to the EMIS; and MoES should develop a culture of evidence – based decision making through utilization of research findings as well as M&E results. It is envisaged that the findings generated from this project study will provide an insight to different Government MDAs on the relevance of M&E results utilization for budgeting, planning, and policy formulation. In addition, the study findings are envisaged to enable MoES appreciate the need for installation of appropriate information management systems necessary for improved streamlining and mainstreaming of M&E results utilization. The study recommends different areas where additional research should be undertaken and these inter alia include analyzing the impact of political guidance and decisions on the practice and utility of M&E results in Government institutions; and inquiry into how the Principal – Agent theory influences the acceptance, utilization and mainstreaming of M&E results in Government agencies.