An Investigation into the Challenges Faced by School Heads in Handling of School Finances in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South

Abstract

The major aim of the project was to investigate the obstacles faced by school heads in handling school finances. The specific objectives of the study were to: find out the obstacles faced by school heads when dealing with school finances, investigate why cases of theft are wide spread in Gwanda South District schools, evaluate the strategies employed by school heads in protecting school funds from being embezzled and assessing the effectiveness of policies set forth by the ministry of education in handling of school finances. The most important research question which this study sought to answer was ‘What challenges do school heads come across in handling school finances?’. In an attempt to realise that end, a mixed research method research design was used to collect data, using questionnaires, interviews and observations. The participants who suit the researcher’s criteria were randomly selected so as to give each member an equal chance of being selected. The findings gathered suggest that school heads face numerous challenges, in which at its core are mismanagement of funds, poor funding, temptations, inadequate security and hiring of unskilled personnel. The mentioned challenges are a cause for concern in schools as schools’ development is impended due to these challenges.