Factors Influencing Principals’ Effectiveness, In Financial Management In Public Secondary Schools In Mwingi Central Sub- County, Kitui County-Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated factors that influence the effectiveness of school heads in Financial Management of Public Secondary Schools in Mwingi Central Sub-county, Kitui County. Although KEMI has been inducting Secondary school principals on financial management skills, some principals have still been involved in financial mismanagement through misappropriation, misallocation and embezzlement of school funds. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of the Principals’ management training on financial management practices in public secondary schools, assess the effects of Principals’ experience on efficient financial management practices, evaluate the effects of school boards on financial management practices in public schools, evaluate the effects of school sponsors on principals’ effectiveness in financial management of their respective schools, evaluate government’s influence on the financial management processes of public secondary schools in Mwingi Central sub-county, Kitui County. The study adopted 3 theories namely; the Piaget’s theory of cognitive development of 1964, paths goal theory and the functionalism theory. The study also used the descriptive survey design with a target population of 120 persons and a sample size of 93 respondents. The researcher used questionnaires to collect the data. The study found that the independent variables mentioned above, all have greater influence on principals’ effectiveness on financial management in secondary schools. Majority of the respondents 60 (85.7%) indicated that principals require financial management training, and again another equal percentage observed that newly appointed principals are not good in financial management and that experience in financial management is important to the principals. The study also found that, Board of Management is important in playing an oversight role in the school, and therefore needs to be well informed and committed to ensure that the principal maintains good financial records for the school. A committed school sponsor is also of value to the school especially when it comes to monitoring school projects and enforcing accountability. The MOEST is seen as the body of the government which when strict in their monitoring duties will promote sound management in schools. The study recommends that the government needs to factor in some funds for further training of the principals and that the Quality Assurance Department should be well trained and sensitized on their roles. Therefore, the researcher, suggest that the principals need regular training on financial management. However, there is much which needs to done as far as financial management in secondary schools is concerned. Extra and regular training of school principals needs to be adopted. Quantitative methods, descriptive statistics and tabulation techniques were used to analyze and interpret the data; aided by statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS). The study suggests further research on; the influence of the composition of the BOM on financial effectiveness of the principals in public secondary schools and the influence of principals’ financial management on students’ performance in schools.