Local government reform program and public service delivery in Tanzania: the case of primary education and health services in Dodoma and Coast Regions
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Date
2017
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study focused on the recent decentralization reform in Tanzania based on Decentralization-by-Devolution policy through Local Government Reform Program implemented since the year 2000. Theoretically, the devolution of power through the Local Government Reform Program (LGRP) would improve allocative and productive efficiency, which in turn would improve the delivery of public services at the local level. This study investigated the impact of D-by-D policy through LGRP on public service delivery in Tanzania, with a particular focus on public primary education and health services. The main objective was to examine the impact of Decentralization-by-Devolution policy through Local Government Reform Program (LGRP) on public service delivery in Tanzania with a focus on public primary education and health services. The study employed descriptive case study design using a combination of qualitative approach through the use of in-depth interview, focus group discussion, document analysis and quantitative approach through the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was guided by the Oates decentralization theorem and used the principal-agent theory through decision-space approach to operationalize the theory in examining the impact of Decentralization-by-Devolution (D-by-D) policy through Local Government Reform Program (LGRP) on public service delivery with a particular focus on public primary education and health services in Dodoma and Coast regions. The study findings demonstrated that Decentralization-by-Devolution policy through Local Government Reform Program largely failed to improve the delivery of public services at the local level despite some improvements, which are mainly in quantitative aspects. The failure of Decentralization-by-Devolution policy through Local Government Reform Program in improving public services at the local level is due to failure on the part of central government to implement Local Government Reform Program as stated in the Policy Paper on Local Government Reform and the problems inherent in the public sector in general. The study gives a number of recommendations, including the need for the government to fully implement Decentralization-by-Devolution policy so as to realize the intended outcomes, including improving the delivery of public services.
Description
vailable in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF JS7669.T34M852)
Keywords
public service, Dodoma, Coast, primary education, health services, Tanzania
Citation
Mwaihuti, M.B. (2017) Local government reform program and public service delivery in Tanzania: the case of primary education and health services in Dodoma and Coast Regions. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.