Assessment Of Open Perfomance Review And Appraisal System (Opras) In Local Government Authorities In Tanzania: Case Of Kibondo District Council

ABSTRACT

The study aimed at assessing the implementation Assessment of the Open Performance Review and Appraisal System (OPRAS) in Local Government Authorities in Tanzania a case of Kibondo District Council. The was specifically put in place to fulfil four objectives, namely; to assess how efficiently and properly has OPRAS been implemented/operated in Kibondo District Council, to assess the level of awareness of employees about OPRAS, to investigate on the role played by OPRAS in improving performance, and to investigate on the challenges faced by the LGAs in implementing OPRAS. The study was conducted at Kibondo District council where 92 respondents filled questionnaire and others were interviewed. Data was analysed using both quantitative as well as qualitative means. The study found out that, OPRAS was implemented at Kibondo District Council and there were indications that, conditions for the use of OPRAS have been met at least at planning stage. It was further uncovered that, awareness of employees about OPRAS was still a problem at Kibondo District Council and that, employees did not have an opportunity of discussing performance matters with their supervisors during execution of OPRAS. Furthermore, it was revealed that, so far, the role played by OPRAS in improving performance at Kibondo District Council had not materialized employees felt that, OPRAS had detrimental effect on the performance improvement. Apart from all these inadequacies, the study discovered several challenges which faced operationalization of OPRAS at Kibondo District Council. These include but not limited to complexity of the OPRAS form, lack of training, financial constraints and shortage of human resources.