Exploring teachers’ experience in management of school funds in selected secondary schools at Nyamagana district in Mwanza region

Abstract

This study explored teachers’ experience in the management of school funds by identifying their roles, skills, and challenges encountered in the management of school funds. The study employed a qualitative research method with a case study Design. Three secondary schools from Nyamagana district in Mwanza Region were selected for the study. Using purposive sampling, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight informants, viz. 3 heads of schools, 3 teachers who act as school bursars, and 2 other teachers who are school signatories. The findings from interviews were triangulated by information from documentary reviews. Finally, the generated data were analysed through thematic analysis procedures. The qualitative analysis of the data obtained revealed that, although heads of schools have considerable power and mandate to supervise all academic and administrative activities in school, they are forced by the circumstance to pick classroom teachers to take responsibility for school bursars. These selected teachers play the supervisory, bursary, and advisory roles in the management of school funds. Since the selected teachers are unprofessional in the field of finance and administration, they face several challenges emanating from a shortage of funds, technological changes, and a shortage of non-teaching staff. On this basis, it is suggested that, if teachers must be used in the management of school funds, regular seminars and workshops are required to build their capacity to manage school funds. More important, computer and accountant skills are potentials to appropriate management of school funds. Where this cannot be done, the government authorities ought to employ professional school bursars.