Individual Factors Influencing Effectiveness of Financial Management by Boards of Management At public Secondary Schools in Westlands Sub-county, Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

Education is a basic right for all students and BOMs promote education of all learners in secondary schools including those with special needs. BOMs play a critical role towards facilitation of this process. The purpose of the study was to investigate individual factors influencing effectiveness of financial management by boards of management at public secondary schools in Westlands sub-county, Nairobi county, Kenya The objectives of the study were to establish the influence of board of management members’ administrative experience on their effectiveness in financial management in public secondary schools in Westlands sub-county, to examine the influence of the level of training of BOM members on their effectiveness in financial management in public secondary schools in Westlands sub-county, to establish the influence of BOM members’ gender on their effectiveness in financial management in public secondary schools in Westlands sub-county, to determine the extent to which board of management members’ professional status influences their financial management in public secondary schools in Westlands sub-county, Kenya. The target population was 36 principals and 540 BOMs. A sample of 36 principals and 108BOMs was used through simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used in collecting data from the principals whereas the interview guide was used for the BOMs.The study found out that most of the BOM members were not effectively involved in financial management. Nonetheless, it was believed that their effective involvement in the provision of physical facilities and material resources in the schools has improved learning conditions in the schools. The study found that many BOM smembers lack the financial proficiency necessary in formulation and interpretation of financial policy. On whether the boards composition should be gender balanced, this study found that gender balance is essential in the board room but may not have any relevance on financial management in secondary schools in Westlands County. The study concluded that the boards of managements played a critical role in financial management and their capacity to competently deliberate and make decisions on financial matters in secondary schools within Westlands County should be prioritized by the Nairobi County directorate and the ministry of education at large. The Nairobi County Directorate of Education should empower boards of managements by strengthening appointment criteria of board members and also improve the capacity of board members in secondary schools through training in financial management within Westlands County.