In my opinion, the options are not very reflective of the question being asked. Education is not just analytical skills - there is a lot more that going into education. Additionally, the key challenge working with the government is the short attention span due to other responsibilities.
Though, I would agree with Sarwat Hussain, this question is a little condescending towards the clients.
Sarwat Hussain - 7 years ago
This strikes me as a presumptuous, tone-deaf question! For starters, its not the right attitude to have when engaging in a dialogue. Second, if you feel it you will show it and that is not conducive to a respectful dialogue with a key stakeholder. Sorry, beg to differ!
gladys - 7 years ago
This question strikes me as one not even necessary to be asking about. YES, lack of education is a key factor in effectiveness and success in almost everything and for everyone. For some of us, it only takes common sense plus experience to know this.
I come from South America and have seen and experienced ineffectiveness, not only because many of the officials lack education and skills, but also because of the corruption that plagues the governments. Unfortunately, it is not only at one level or in one area. Most of the positions are filled by government's "people" (e.g. friends, friends of friends, relatives, business partners…). Education, analytical skills, knowledge, high degree of initiative/creativity, honesty and respect has been and will always be key factors for growth and development, effectiveness and success, and not only of governments and/or anyone or any organization.
Franz Drees-Gross - 7 years ago
It all depends on the countries and counterparts. In Brazil and Argentina, I've often dealt with senior decision makers in both finance and line ministries who had sufficient education to make very informed decisions. Whether they made evidence-based decisions (or not) depended on the political context and their personal dispositions. In other countries (most Pacific Island countries, for which I was responsible as Country Director for 3 years), there were clearly educational constraints that made decision makers less effective.
Joel Maweni - 7 years ago
My experience is that the effectiveness of government officials is constrained by several factors to do with the environment in which they operate. These include: (i) technical staff are discouraged from researching and developing solutions to complex problems because high level government officials do not use the results in decision making; (ii) inadequate accountability requirements placed on government officials; and (iii) poor incentives especially the absence of linkages between staff recognition and performance
Leonel - 7 years ago
I was thinking on Chile and Costa Rica at the time I was answering the questions. However, my comments may apply to most countries in LAC. technical capacity is very good but number of staff is always in the low numbers. Countries need more working people!
In my opinion, the options are not very reflective of the question being asked. Education is not just analytical skills - there is a lot more that going into education. Additionally, the key challenge working with the government is the short attention span due to other responsibilities.
Though, I would agree with Sarwat Hussain, this question is a little condescending towards the clients.
This strikes me as a presumptuous, tone-deaf question! For starters, its not the right attitude to have when engaging in a dialogue. Second, if you feel it you will show it and that is not conducive to a respectful dialogue with a key stakeholder. Sorry, beg to differ!
This question strikes me as one not even necessary to be asking about. YES, lack of education is a key factor in effectiveness and success in almost everything and for everyone. For some of us, it only takes common sense plus experience to know this.
I come from South America and have seen and experienced ineffectiveness, not only because many of the officials lack education and skills, but also because of the corruption that plagues the governments. Unfortunately, it is not only at one level or in one area. Most of the positions are filled by government's "people" (e.g. friends, friends of friends, relatives, business partners…). Education, analytical skills, knowledge, high degree of initiative/creativity, honesty and respect has been and will always be key factors for growth and development, effectiveness and success, and not only of governments and/or anyone or any organization.
It all depends on the countries and counterparts. In Brazil and Argentina, I've often dealt with senior decision makers in both finance and line ministries who had sufficient education to make very informed decisions. Whether they made evidence-based decisions (or not) depended on the political context and their personal dispositions. In other countries (most Pacific Island countries, for which I was responsible as Country Director for 3 years), there were clearly educational constraints that made decision makers less effective.
My experience is that the effectiveness of government officials is constrained by several factors to do with the environment in which they operate. These include: (i) technical staff are discouraged from researching and developing solutions to complex problems because high level government officials do not use the results in decision making; (ii) inadequate accountability requirements placed on government officials; and (iii) poor incentives especially the absence of linkages between staff recognition and performance
I was thinking on Chile and Costa Rica at the time I was answering the questions. However, my comments may apply to most countries in LAC. technical capacity is very good but number of staff is always in the low numbers. Countries need more working people!
particularly in FCVs