Challenges Faced by School Heads in the Management of School Finances in Nkayi District Secondary Schools

Abstract

This study sought to find out the challenges faced by school heads in the management of school finances in Nkayi District. The population comprised all the 30 secondary schools in the district. Random sampling was used to come up with a sample of ten (10) schools from where 40 respondents were purposefully selected. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and the questionnaire and interview were used as the research instruments for collecting data. The study established that most heads lacked the accounting literacy required for effective management of school finances, and that there was little or no supervision at all from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education finance department personnel on financial management issues. The study recommends that there should be capacity building programmes for heads of schools, deputy heads as well as members of the school development committees. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should increase both announced and unannounced visits to schools to monitor the use of finances in the schools . Key words: Challenges, schools heads, secondary school, school finances, management, district.