Question NW479 to the President of the Republic
16 May 2022 - NW479
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the President of the Republic
Whether his Government is committed to an evidence-based policymaking approach as envisioned by the National Policy Development Framework; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
At the beginning of the Sixth Administration, on the occasion of the Budget Vote of the Presidency 2019/20, I said that public policy that must be evidence-based and effectively coordinated.
The Presidency established a Public Sector Policy Development and Research Network in March 2020 as a platform to capacitate policy practitioners on the use of evidence in policy making. This network is represented by policy practitioners, researchers and legal services from national and provincial government, and municipalities will be included in the near future
The Presidency, through the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), has an Evidence Mapping System that assists departments with mapping research work and evidence from a wide range of credible sources.
The National School of Government offers training to officials on evidence-based policy making and the National Policy Development Framework.
Finally, the Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System assists in ensuring that early drafting of policies, Bills and Regulations are supported by relevant evidence.