The Impact of the Public Service Reform Programme on Human Resource Development
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE REFORM
PROGRAMME
Zambia like most newly independent countries embarked upon a lot of programmes aimed at national building directed at state dominated economic development. The role of the state in Zambia like most independent developing countries was seen as that of corrective interventions in markets and emphasizing centralized planning. This new assumed role saw the rise of the Public Sector over the years. Furthermore, at independence, the government responded to popular and increasing demand for social services and material benefits by creating new institutions and new programmes. The development compounded already existing problems in managing rapidly growing bureaucratic empires, the steady erosion of inherited values and norms, accelerated the pace of institutional decay which in turn undermined the effectiveness of the Public Services (Cabinet Office, 1993).
With an increase in the Size of the Public Service came a corresponding increase in the levels of government expenditure which increased each year as a proportion of Gross Domestic product (GDP). This increase in expenditure far outstripped revenue, making the cost of Government unsustainable. The drastic increase of oil prices in the 1970s also had a telling effect on Zambia’s revenues. This was compounded by economic recession in the early 1980s which for Zambia meant a continuing decline in the price of copper which accounted for 90% of its export earnings, almost completely eroding its economic stability (Cabinet Office, 1993). Unfortunately, however, the over-expensive machinery of government was under performing. The poor performance of the Public Sector was eroding the confidence in the ability of government and state owned enterprises to provide the necessary goods and services. The financial performance of government services and enterprises was economically
PROGRAMME
Zambia like most newly independent countries embarked upon a lot of programmes aimed at national building directed at state dominated economic development. The role of the state in Zambia like most independent developing countries was seen as that of corrective interventions in markets and emphasizing centralized planning. This new assumed role saw the rise of the Public Sector over the years. Furthermore, at independence, the government responded to popular and increasing demand for social services and material benefits by creating new institutions and new programmes. The development compounded already existing problems in managing rapidly growing bureaucratic empires, the steady erosion of inherited values and norms, accelerated the pace of institutional decay which in turn undermined the effectiveness of the Public Services (Cabinet Office, 1993).
With an increase in the Size of the Public Service came a corresponding increase in the levels of government expenditure which increased each year as a proportion of Gross Domestic product (GDP). This increase in expenditure far outstripped revenue, making the cost of Government unsustainable. The drastic increase of oil prices in the 1970s also had a telling effect on Zambia’s revenues. This was compounded by economic recession in the early 1980s which for Zambia meant a continuing decline in the price of copper which accounted for 90% of its export earnings, almost completely eroding its economic stability (Cabinet Office, 1993). Unfortunately, however, the over-expensive machinery of government was under performing. The poor performance of the Public Sector was eroding the confidence in the ability of government and state owned enterprises to provide the necessary goods and services. The financial performance of government services and enterprises was economically
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