PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES IN FINANCAL RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND UTILIZATION IN GEVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL OF EAST SHOA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges in financial resource mobilization and utilization in government secondary schools of East Shoa zone, Oromia regional state. For this study, descriptive survey research design was employed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The participants of the study were 60 department heads, 20 school leaders, 10 PTA members, and 5 school accountants. The participants were selected among five secondary schools of East Shoa Zone by purposive sampling techniques and availability sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interview, and document analysis were used as instrument of data collection. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and average mean,) and inferential statistics (t-test). In addition to that the qualitative data that were obtained from interview and document analysis were analyzed in words. The major findings indicated lack of qualified persons in the area. Knowledge, skill and experience gaps were major problems in financial resource mobilization and utilization practices in the study area. On top of that, lack of training, absence regular auditing, and lack of transparency on the budget planning were other constraints in financial resource mobilization and utilization of the secondary schools. Based on the findings the following conclusions were drawn. Incompetent finance personnel and school principals of employee on the position led the schools not to be successful in their financial resource mobilization and utilization. Absence of participation of stakeholder also affected the utilization of financial resources and the contribution of stakeholders to increase the educational finance. Lack of transparency inhibits the contribution of stake holders in the schools. Irregular auditing hinders schools’ not to be effective in financial resource mobilization. To improve this problem, Woredas Education Office should impose the schools’ leaders to participate stakeholders in schools financial resource allocation , School principals and PTA members should motivate stakeholders in order to participate in the financial mobilization and utilization activities and create harmonious relationship, Woreda education office finance expert should facilitate experience sharing between secondary schools of principals, school finance personnel and PTA committee on budget plan preparation and implementation systems ,Woredas Education office planning personnel, finance office auditors and high school supervisors should make consistent monitoring and supervision; and give technical support to school leaders. PTA committee members should follow the school financial resource and take immediate corrective measures to improve problems that will encounter in actual work at school level, all concerned bodies, such as the Oromia Educational Bureau, and the Woreda Education Office being together should improve capacity problems of schools financial personnel through short and long term training, so as to achieve the objectives of educational sector development program practically.