Assessing the Challenges in Managing School Funds for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kilolo District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study sought to identify the “Challenges in Managing School Funds for Heads of Secondary Schools in Kilolo District, Tanzania” through a mixed approach with the population of one District educational officer, six heads of schools, six school bursars and sixty-three secondary school teachers who obtained through purposive sampling and simple random techniques. Questionnaires and interviews used to collect data. Data analysed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software. The findings found that heads of secondary schools faced numerous challenges such as inadequate funds from the government, inconsistencies disbursement of money from the government and bureaucracy. In addition, distance (remoteness of the schools), transport cost and time consumer when heads of schools needs procurement budgets approved from the  District Educational Officer, poor support from the parents and some staff as well as denying school management training on financial management issues were among the challenges. Lastly, the findings found that training, workshops, provision of seminars will enhancing the heads of schools’ financial management literacy.  Moreover, heads of schools should involve other staff members, school management team (SMT), and the use of educational financial guidelines as a source of knowledge and skills to manage schools’ fiscal resources. It also recommended that the heads of schools should adhere to the proper practices of financial management through monetary auditing. Likewise, Tanzania government should provide managerial training, workshops and seminars as the best strategies to diminish financial management challenges as well as introducing financial management courses in teachers’ colleges and universities prepare experts in the schools’ financial management activities.