Training needs assessment in financial management of secondary school headteachers: a case study of Nandi North District

Abstract

In the recent past, public secondary schools in Kenya have witnessed increased cases of financial mismanagement as found out by the Audit Inspection Unit carried out by MOEST (2004). Therefore the study sought to assess training needs in financial management of secondary school headtcachcrs in Nandi North district. The study also sought to identify the gaps in order to come up with various recommendations to enable headteachers manage secondary schools' public funds more effectively and efficiently. The available literature suggested that training was an Important process in equipping headteachers with the necessary skills to enable them manage the schools' finances well. The study employed an ex post factor research description. A population of fifty six headteachers who represented nil the headtcachers in the district was targeted. A total population study was therefore used because of the small population size. Data were collected from the headteachers using semi-structured questionnaires, Part one of the questionnaire items were organized according to likert scale while part two (b) and (c) were open-ended questionnaire items. Appendix C carried interview schedule questions intended to give in-depth findings. To establish whether the instruments would collect the right data, a pilot study was carried out in the neighbouring district, Nandi South. The results from the pilot study were used in making modifications on the instruments. Duta analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means were mainly used to summarize data collected. First, the research findings revealed that most head teachers were male. Secondly, the majority of the head teachers were at the prime of their career and were qualified to be in the position of the headship. Thirdly, it was revealed that few had attended in-service courses. Headteachers interviewed indicated that they needed training in financial management of secondary schools. They proposed that they needed training mainly in the following areas of finance and business management; accounting procedures, auditing procedures, budget preparation and management resource acquisition. The head teachers suggested that they needed to be trained in other areas of administration such as personnel management, curriculum instruction and community relations among others. The research recommended that a deliberate effort to be put in place to train all headteachers and the ministry or Education to formulate a clear policy on training and appointment. The research suggested a further study on a programme to be formed which should be more tightly structured to support training needs in financial management of secondary school head teachers and should be based on day-to-day running of the school finances. The TSC to have clear policy regarding head teachers deployment, induction, orientation and training. The headteachers should work hand-in-hand with their deputies (internship) so that there is no gap when deputies are deployed as headteachers. The headteachers through their association KSSHA to be encouraged to benchmark from other districts, provinces and neighbouring countries that perform well. The following areas were suggested for further research:- A further study 011 the motivation of headteachers will help in building contented headteachers who will deliver the services efficiently and effectively. The training needs of headteachers on human resource management and school community relations (public relations) to be conducted. Secondly an extensive study to draw a guiding framework for the desired training needs of head teachers in financial management, administration and curriculum implementation should be done. There is need to replicate this study in other provinces of Kenya or urban setting and compare the results.