26.
-
(a)
of the criteria on which the promotion of civil servants is based;
(b)
whether the details of the criteria can be disclosed; and
(c)
whether the policy secretaries promoted recently have satisfied these criteria?
Reply:
Mr President,
My replies to the three questions raised are as follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
The criteria for the promotion of civil servants are set out in general terms in the Civil Service Regulations which refer to character, ability, any qualifications prescribed for the promotion rank in question and experience. The regulations require that if no candidate stands out as clearly the most suitable, seniority should then be taken into account. The principle underpinning these regulations is that promotion is not a reward for long service, but a recognition that the officer selected is able and ready to perform the duties of the next higher rank. In line with this principle, individual grades may set out more detailed criteria to meet their particular requirements. In the case of the Administrative Officer Grade the promotion criteria in the Civil Service Regulations are reflected in what are referred to as the four 'P's namely, performance, personality, postability and potential, which are the governing criteria in the selection of Administrative Officers for promotion;
the general promotion criteria are clearly laid down in the Civil Service of Regulations. There are also guidelines requiring Heads Departments/Heads of Grades to inform officers in the lower rank in writing of the holding of a promotion exercise and the criteria for selection for promotion;
the officers recently promoted to the rank of Secretary were selected in accordance with the selection criteria and procedures laid down in the Civil Service Regulations. The four 'P's referred to in (a) above were the guiding criteria in the selection exercise. These criteria were also used by the posting board which selected and recommended candidates to fill Secretary posts on an acting basis, also recently announced.
End/Wednesday, January 11, 1995