Abstract
The management of financial resources in public schools plays a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of quality education. This study explored the effectiveness of financial management control systems in public schools within the Johannesburg West District, South Africa. The study was grounded within accountability and financial control theories, which were most suitable for this empirical investigation. The research was motivated by ongoing concerns regarding financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and non-compliance with financial policies in public schools. It was therefore crucial to explore ways in which school finances and other resources could be effectively management to enhance the performance of public schools. Using a qualitative research design, grounded within a interpretivist paradigm, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of principals, school governing body (SGB) members, and administrative staff from selected schools in the district. Additionally, data was also generated through focus group interviews with selected participants in each of the five public schools in the Johannesburg West District in the Gauteng Province. Data was analysed using a thematic content analysis process.
The findings revealed that while financial management policies and guidelines are in place, their implementation varied significantly across schools. Some schools demonstrated effective financial management practices characterised by proper budgeting, record-keeping, and compliance with policies. However, others experienced challenges such as inadequate financial training for School Governing Body members, poor monitoring and evaluation systems, and limited stakeholder engagement in financial decision-making. The study also identified key factors contributing to financial inefficiencies, including delays in budget approvals, misallocation of resources, and non-adherence to procurement procedures.
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The research highlighted the need for capacity-building initiatives to equip school administrators and SGBs with financial management skills. Additionally, policy improvements, increased stakeholder involvement, and the adoption of financial management technologies were recommended to enhance transparency and accountability.
Strengthening monitoring and evaluation mechanisms was found to be crucial to ensuring that financial practices align with regulatory requirements and best practices. Overall, the study underscored the importance of effective financial management in improving school performance and ensuring the optimal utilisation of resources. The findings contributed to the discourse on school financial governance and provided practical recommendations for improving financial control systems in public schools within the Johannesburg West District and beyond. Thus, the recommendations brought forward the importance of providing the required capacity building and financial training of school governors while developing a nurturing and ethical culture of financial management in schools. Moreover, the study encourages stakeholders’ engagement and cooperation leading to a high level of trust, transparency and accountability on the part of all financial managers.