Effective school budgeting for the optimum utilization of physical resources.
- Authors: Choonara, Mohamed Afzel
- Date: 2008-06-24T07:50:16Z
- Subjects: school budgets , school boards , educational finance , school management and organization , school improvement programs
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/706
- Description: The Schools Act 84 of 1996 has given governing bodies (SGBs) the responsibility of managing school finances. The Act prescribes that the SGB must prepare a budget annually. A school’s budget is an important financial management tool, which ensures that adequate resources are procured in a cost-effective manner in order to enhance teaching and learning. However, schools are grappling with diminishing financial resources and this factor reduces the school’s capacity to respond to the changing needs of learners. Furthermore, SGBs lack the necessary skills and competence to manage funds. The general aim of this research was to determine whether schools prepare budgets effectively, resulting in the optimum utilization of physical resources which will improve the quality of teaching and learning. A literature study was undertaken relating to effective budgeting for the optimum utilisation of physical resources for effective teaching and learning to take place. It outlined school finances in other countries and the impact that budgets have on effective school management. It also gave a detailed account of the process of budgeting and more importantly it outlined in detail the effect of physical resources on school improvement. A quantitative study was made through a structured questionnaire developed from a literature survey. A discussion of the respondents sampled, their biographical details in the form of graphs and the return-rate of questionnaires were also discussed. The questionnaire was discussed as well as the mean scores of various items. Some pertinent questions relating to effective budgeting was also discussed. Educators regard financial management as an important component of school management. They also regard the optimum utilization of resources as key to effective teaching and learning in the classroom. The data was analysed. The Pearson’s Chi Square value as well as Cramer’s V value was discussed using cross-tabulations. Pertinent questions were analysed using these techniques and possible explanations were given to empirical findings. Taking it from school to school or using cross-tabulation on whether educators are SGB members or not, reveals a similar trend that budgets are being drawn up through very little input from all stakeholders. This is a cause for concern. Few educators agree that the DoE provides schools with the necessary physical resources for teaching. This implies that schools have to provide the necessary resources for effective teaching to take place, which further impacts on the budgetary process. Schools have to levy fees on its learners or embark on fundraising projects to supplement the monies from the state. Finally findings from the literature as well important empirical findings were discussed, together with recommendations. Although some SGB training was provided, it has not been focused and thorough, or it has been done by incompetent trainers. Workshops should be conducted by accountants and financial experts with careful monitoring at each stage. There should be regular feedback and evaluation. SGBs should co-opt financial experts from their communities to assist in this delicate task. The SGB should ensure that they involve all stakeholders when initiating the budget process. In this regard, schools could make use of programme budgeting so that all learning areas are catered for and all educators, parents and the community at large are involved. Effective budgeting will go a long way towards achieving the educational goals of schools by ensuring that all physical resources are utilized optimally. , Prof. R. Mestry
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- Authors: Choonara, Mohamed Afzel
- Date: 2008-06-24T07:50:16Z
- Subjects: school budgets , school boards , educational finance , school management and organization , school improvement programs
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:9653 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/706
- Description: The Schools Act 84 of 1996 has given governing bodies (SGBs) the responsibility of managing school finances. The Act prescribes that the SGB must prepare a budget annually. A school’s budget is an important financial management tool, which ensures that adequate resources are procured in a cost-effective manner in order to enhance teaching and learning. However, schools are grappling with diminishing financial resources and this factor reduces the school’s capacity to respond to the changing needs of learners. Furthermore, SGBs lack the necessary skills and competence to manage funds. The general aim of this research was to determine whether schools prepare budgets effectively, resulting in the optimum utilization of physical resources which will improve the quality of teaching and learning. A literature study was undertaken relating to effective budgeting for the optimum utilisation of physical resources for effective teaching and learning to take place. It outlined school finances in other countries and the impact that budgets have on effective school management. It also gave a detailed account of the process of budgeting and more importantly it outlined in detail the effect of physical resources on school improvement. A quantitative study was made through a structured questionnaire developed from a literature survey. A discussion of the respondents sampled, their biographical details in the form of graphs and the return-rate of questionnaires were also discussed. The questionnaire was discussed as well as the mean scores of various items. Some pertinent questions relating to effective budgeting was also discussed. Educators regard financial management as an important component of school management. They also regard the optimum utilization of resources as key to effective teaching and learning in the classroom. The data was analysed. The Pearson’s Chi Square value as well as Cramer’s V value was discussed using cross-tabulations. Pertinent questions were analysed using these techniques and possible explanations were given to empirical findings. Taking it from school to school or using cross-tabulation on whether educators are SGB members or not, reveals a similar trend that budgets are being drawn up through very little input from all stakeholders. This is a cause for concern. Few educators agree that the DoE provides schools with the necessary physical resources for teaching. This implies that schools have to provide the necessary resources for effective teaching to take place, which further impacts on the budgetary process. Schools have to levy fees on its learners or embark on fundraising projects to supplement the monies from the state. Finally findings from the literature as well important empirical findings were discussed, together with recommendations. Although some SGB training was provided, it has not been focused and thorough, or it has been done by incompetent trainers. Workshops should be conducted by accountants and financial experts with careful monitoring at each stage. There should be regular feedback and evaluation. SGBs should co-opt financial experts from their communities to assist in this delicate task. The SGB should ensure that they involve all stakeholders when initiating the budget process. In this regard, schools could make use of programme budgeting so that all learning areas are catered for and all educators, parents and the community at large are involved. Effective budgeting will go a long way towards achieving the educational goals of schools by ensuring that all physical resources are utilized optimally. , Prof. R. Mestry
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Financial management as the function of the school governing body.
- Authors: Gubuza, Sibongile Faith
- Date: 2008-08-20T09:44:08Z
- Subjects: school management and organization , financial management , school boards , school budgets , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/888
- Description: A financial function is one of the aspects of a business enterprise and a department that is involved with finances of the business is known as a financial department. Financial management, as a discipline, is interlinked with other activities that occur within a business organization such as production, marketing, purchasing, personnel functions, et cetera (Cronje, et. al. 1991:16,22). In a school organization there are different departments and committees, which are dependent on the financial committee of the institution for their survival. The finance committee focuses on making decisions with regard to the finances of the school and the generation of extra income, through alternative sources to add value to the organization, for the reason that schools cannot operate successfully with school fund only. Berkhout and Berkhout (1992:4) outline sources of finance that can assist the committee to generate more funds. For a school to operate and perform, the financial management function effectively, it is necessary for one to understand the internal and external environmental factors, which can affect the smooth running of the school. , Dr. P.J. du Plessis
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- Authors: Gubuza, Sibongile Faith
- Date: 2008-08-20T09:44:08Z
- Subjects: school management and organization , financial management , school boards , school budgets , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/888
- Description: A financial function is one of the aspects of a business enterprise and a department that is involved with finances of the business is known as a financial department. Financial management, as a discipline, is interlinked with other activities that occur within a business organization such as production, marketing, purchasing, personnel functions, et cetera (Cronje, et. al. 1991:16,22). In a school organization there are different departments and committees, which are dependent on the financial committee of the institution for their survival. The finance committee focuses on making decisions with regard to the finances of the school and the generation of extra income, through alternative sources to add value to the organization, for the reason that schools cannot operate successfully with school fund only. Berkhout and Berkhout (1992:4) outline sources of finance that can assist the committee to generate more funds. For a school to operate and perform, the financial management function effectively, it is necessary for one to understand the internal and external environmental factors, which can affect the smooth running of the school. , Dr. P.J. du Plessis
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The role of the school governing body in financial administration at Sokisi secondary school: a case study.
- Authors: Makhubela, Bridget Salome
- Date: 2008-09-09T08:57:58Z
- Subjects: educational fund raising , secondary education finance , school management and organization , school boards' finance , school budgets , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/999
- Description: The problem in this study lies in the school governing body`s lack of understanding their role in financial administration at Sokisi Secondary School (not its real name). This led to them spending money on the things that were not budgeted for, as well as ensuring the smooth running of the school. The purpose of this study was to help the School Governing Body members to know their functions and also to know how to manage the school’s budget. The qualitative research methodology was chosen for this study. The data collection strategy used was interviews. Six governing body members were interviewed, observed and recorded. The findings in this research were that the School Governing Body members knew that for them to manage the budget efficiently, they must have a sound financial policy. The researcher also discovered that the governing body members had little knowledge of what was expected from them because they were not trained. Concepts such as financial administration and financial planning were discussed. , Dr. B.V. Nduna
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- Authors: Makhubela, Bridget Salome
- Date: 2008-09-09T08:57:58Z
- Subjects: educational fund raising , secondary education finance , school management and organization , school boards' finance , school budgets , South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:4659 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/999
- Description: The problem in this study lies in the school governing body`s lack of understanding their role in financial administration at Sokisi Secondary School (not its real name). This led to them spending money on the things that were not budgeted for, as well as ensuring the smooth running of the school. The purpose of this study was to help the School Governing Body members to know their functions and also to know how to manage the school’s budget. The qualitative research methodology was chosen for this study. The data collection strategy used was interviews. Six governing body members were interviewed, observed and recorded. The findings in this research were that the School Governing Body members knew that for them to manage the budget efficiently, they must have a sound financial policy. The researcher also discovered that the governing body members had little knowledge of what was expected from them because they were not trained. Concepts such as financial administration and financial planning were discussed. , Dr. B.V. Nduna
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The impact of non-payment of fees on the school budget in selected Gauteng schools.
- Authors: Pullinger, Maria Johanna
- Date: 2009-01-28T09:38:31Z
- Subjects: school budgets , educational finance , Gauteng ( South Africa )
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1957
- Description: M.Ed. , In 1994 a new era based on equality and non-discrimination dawned on South Africa, which spelt radical reform in all spheres of government and society. In Education, the challenge was to provide schooling that is uniform in standard and accessible for all learners - a paradigm shift from that of separation of race groups. This shift to redress past inequalities was done through the mechanism of the South African Schools Act that implemented funding reforms to meet the philosophical ideas of the constitutional age. The mechanics of reform is a recurrent cost subsidy, a subsidy to redress previous inequalities and protection of indigent parents, through the exemption clause. It is the unforeseen ramifications of social stigma on the working of the exemption clause, and a culture of non-payment of fees that impacted heavily on the cash flow of schools leaving them technical insolvent. This research paper focuses on the impact of non-payment of fees on schools. The literature study identified causes for the great inequality between schools and the purpose and effect of the Act. The research is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive deconstruction of the factual actuality at issue. This was achieved through individual interviews with the principals of different schools. The factual complex devolves under four categories: - Finances: especially calculation of subsidies and payment thereof, as well as, communication between schools and the provincial departments in this respect. - Budgeting: to cover the liquidity needs of the school, new managerial skills have been acquired by principals coupled with fee collection to maintain liquidity as required by the Act. - Matters pertaining to the Schools Act: arising from the application of the exemption clause in specific and prevalent scenarios and of the limitations of the Act. -Collection of fees: to maintain liquidity.
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- Authors: Pullinger, Maria Johanna
- Date: 2009-01-28T09:38:31Z
- Subjects: school budgets , educational finance , Gauteng ( South Africa )
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14833 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1957
- Description: M.Ed. , In 1994 a new era based on equality and non-discrimination dawned on South Africa, which spelt radical reform in all spheres of government and society. In Education, the challenge was to provide schooling that is uniform in standard and accessible for all learners - a paradigm shift from that of separation of race groups. This shift to redress past inequalities was done through the mechanism of the South African Schools Act that implemented funding reforms to meet the philosophical ideas of the constitutional age. The mechanics of reform is a recurrent cost subsidy, a subsidy to redress previous inequalities and protection of indigent parents, through the exemption clause. It is the unforeseen ramifications of social stigma on the working of the exemption clause, and a culture of non-payment of fees that impacted heavily on the cash flow of schools leaving them technical insolvent. This research paper focuses on the impact of non-payment of fees on schools. The literature study identified causes for the great inequality between schools and the purpose and effect of the Act. The research is a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive deconstruction of the factual actuality at issue. This was achieved through individual interviews with the principals of different schools. The factual complex devolves under four categories: - Finances: especially calculation of subsidies and payment thereof, as well as, communication between schools and the provincial departments in this respect. - Budgeting: to cover the liquidity needs of the school, new managerial skills have been acquired by principals coupled with fee collection to maintain liquidity as required by the Act. - Matters pertaining to the Schools Act: arising from the application of the exemption clause in specific and prevalent scenarios and of the limitations of the Act. -Collection of fees: to maintain liquidity.
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