CONSTRAINTS OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess constraints of financial resources management in secondary schools of West Hararghe Zone. For this study, mixed research design was employed. A total of 74 samples ( 20 school leaders , 6 school supervisors, 22 financial personnels, and 24 school PTSA members) were the participants of the study. The samples were selected from eight secondary schools by purposive, availability, census and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interview, and document review were used as instrument of data collection. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. And qualitative data were presented in narrative. The major findings were lack of competences, training, transparency, timely auditing and appropriate checks and control, and delay of budget, violation of school finance rules and regulations, Poor participation of stakeholders, and the scarcity of financial materials in the schools. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn. Incompetent financial personnels and school leaders on the position lead to the schools not to be successful in their financial resource management activities. Low participation of stakeholders, and lack of transparency hindered contribution of stakeholders in the schools. Absence of auditing, financial materials and violation of school finance rules and regulations hinders schools not to be effective in financial resource management. And Improper budget planning and delay of budget from woredas affected schools’ not to achieve the preplanned goals. To improve the above mentioned problems, Woreda Education Offices and Zone Education Offices collaborately, should assign competent employees and prepare short term training for school financial stakeholders. Woreda Finance Offices auditor and planning experts should facilitate experience sharing program and give technical supports to schools. Similarly, supervisors, and school managers should make appropriate monitoring and supervision for school financial stakeholders