Abstract
Abstract : This study investigated the management of budgets in fee-paying public schools, with implications to effective and quality learning. The focus for this study was to explore how fee-paying public schools are able to manage their budget effectively in order to be able to generate sufficient funds to ensure quality education. This is particularly in light of the fact that the funds received from the Department of Education are inadequate. Furthermore, this study sought to explore various fundraising initiatives employed by fee-paying schools that supplement government funds, and to establish monitoring and control mechanisms to prevent the mismanagement and misappropriation of school funds. The literature review focussed on the legislative framework such as the South Africa School Act and the National Norms and Standards of School Funding which explains how the government distributes state funds according to a quintile ranking system. The difference between the two types of schools namely fee-paying and no fee-paying schools were addressed and also how a school that qualify for Section 21 functions of the South African Schools Act. The entire budget process for a school as an organisation was also discussed. An in-depth study of the role of the SGB and the principal in the budget process was undertaken. A detailed explanation was given on sources and application of funds, as fee-paying schools had to adopt an aggressive fundraising and marketing approach so that substantial funding is secured for the provision of quality education. Finally, the role of budget monitoring and controlling of the budget showed to play a pivotal role as it enables the SGB and financial committee to take necessary actions should there be any deviation in the projected income or expenditure. Systems theory was employed as a theoretical framework for this study that allowed the researcher to explore interactions within communal structures. The various structures such as school governing body, school management team, finance committee and parents are all involved in the budget process of the school and the systems theory helped in understanding the functions of the various structures in order to sustain funds for the school.
M.Ed. (Educational Management)